Virginia Indian Festival

After a two-year hiatus the Virginia Indian Festival is returning to Riverbend Park on Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will be held rain or shine and will feature members from eight tribes native to Virginia – Chickahominy Tribe, Monacan Nation, Upper Mattaponi Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe, Pamunkey Tribe, Mattaponi, and Tauxenent who will share their culture, history and traditions with park visitors. The day will be filled with hands-on activities appropriate for the entire family.

Let yourself be transported to an earlier time while you move to the rhythmic drumming of the Rappahannock tribal dancers. Use hot coals and chopping tools to help build a dug-out canoe from a massive log. Learn to make arrowheads and other stone tools from expert toolmakers. Take aim and hit the mark with an arrow loosed from a bow on the archery range. Try to master the skill of throwing spears using an atlatl. Watch as animal hides are tanned. Walk among authentic totem poles. See historic and genuine clothing and tools.

Admission is $5 for guests ages three and older. Food, jewelry, pottery, musical instruments and other American Indian crafts will be available for purchase.

Visitors may also delve into the park’s new exhibit, Riverbend Park: A Rare and Rugged Refuge, which explores the creation of the Potomac Gorge and the lives of the native people who first inhabited the area – and still do. The exhibit is on display in the Visitor Center year round.