Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 02, 2005
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Occoneechee State Park hosts 14th Annual Native American Heritage Festival and Powwow May 14
(CLARKSVILLE, VA) - The 14th Annual Native American Heritage Festival and Powwow will be held May 14 at Occoneechee State Park in Clarksville, Va.
The powwow is an opportunity for Native Americans to gather and celebrate their heritage and culture. Occoneechee State Park is one of 34 award-winning state parks operated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Gates open at 10 a.m., and the grand entry procession of Native American dancers dressed in authentic Native American regalia begins at noon.
John "Blackfeather" Jeffries will be master of ceremonies for the powwow and festival. Dancers Deborah Moore and Doug Logan will lead traditional, straight and fancy intertribal dancing accompanied by (the) Eastern Bull as host drum. The festival also features Native American foods, singing, arts and crafts, as well as demonstrations in the use of primitive weapons, bead crafting and backwoods survival skills.
In 2003, park staff built a replica Native American hut, an ati, which will be available during the powwow.
The park visitor center, highlighting the Native American and Occoneechee culture, will be open during the festival. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62 and older). Visitors should bring blankets or lawn chairs. The event is held rain or shine.
Occoneechee State Park features three miles of hiking trails and 15 mils of multi-use trails, picnic shelters, camping and three boat launching ramps for access to Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) for motor and non-motorized boats. The park is 1.5 miles east of the town of Clarksville on U.S. Route 58, near the U.S. 15 intersection. For more information, call Occoneechee State Park at (434) 374-2210 or the Virginia Lake Country Chamber of Commerce at (434) 374-2436, or visit www.dcr.virginia.gov.
For more summer fun opportunities in Virginia State Parks, pick up a copy of The Virginia State Parks 2005 Outdoor Adventures Guide and Calendar. The guide introduces visitors to exciting outdoor activities in the award-winning Virginia State Parks, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The guide is available at Virginia Welcome Centers, local visitor centers, Virginia State Parks, or by calling 1-800-933-PARK. Up to the minute, comprehensive Virginia State Parks information is also available at www.dcr.virginia.gov.
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