Preparing for a good crowd at this year’s festival
(Albany, Ga.)- Planned for April 15 through April 17, Chehaw’s annual Native American Cultural Festival will begin when The Wild Animal Park opens its doors at 9:30 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. each day. On Friday, April 15, special programs will be presented for school groups from 9:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. Entrance into the festival is included in the admission price to The Wild Animal Park so guests will be able to visit the animals and attend the festival.
Chehaw was named after a tribe in the Creek Indian Confederacy, the Chiaha, who at one time lived in three different settlements in the Albany area. When the park was being developed personnel uncovered numerous artifacts including arrowheads, tomahawks, scrapers, clay pipes and spearheads. Wanting to pay homage to the land’s heritage, Chehaw hosted its first Native American festival in 1990.
This year demonstrators will cover the differing cultures of the various Native American tribes spanning the country including Cherokee, Mohawk, Creek, Plains Indians and many more. Others will be demonstrating everyday tasks including, flint knapping (the art of stone tool chipping), fire by friction, deer-hide tanning, pottery making, pine needle basket weaving, story telling, twine bag making, flute music and drums just to name a few. Vendors will be selling Native American arts and crafts such as silver and turquoise jewelry, hand painted drums, beadwork, various clothing, reproductions of Native American artifacts, knives and much more. Exhibition dancers and drummers will also be presenting the Native American music and dance that has been passed down through the generations.
Every year being a huge success, Chehaw hopes the public, again, will take the opportunity to come out and experience this fun and educational festival.
ABOUT THE PARKS AT CHEHAW
Featuring one of only two zoos in Georgia accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Chehaw also includes a BMX bicycle race track, 18-hole disc golf course, Wild Trail for walkers and runners and one of the largest playgrounds in the state. Chehaw hosts special events throughout the year, like the Native American Cultural Festival in the spring, Swamp Stomp Summer Camps in the summer and Festival of Lights during the holidays. Chehaw offers one of the area’s finest facilities for events such as weddings, family reunions and birthday parties. Come visit Nature’s Playground today and make it home to your next special occasion. For more information, visit www.chehaw.org or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/chehaw.
