Celebrate Native American culture at the Occoneechee State ParkAnnual Native American Heritage Festival, in Clarksville, VA., May 14. Spend the day at this beautiful park and experience the song and dance celebration of Native American dancing and drumming. Enjoy freshly prepared Native foods, shop with craft vendors and visit the park's Native American Museum.
Gates open at 10 a.m., and the grand entry procession of Native American dancers dressed in authenticregalia begins at noon. Master of Ceremonies will be Clark Stewart, with Chief Tommy Lewis serving as Arena Director, and Head dancers Debora Moore and Troy Adkins. Drumming will be by the Turtleclan Singers and Yough-ta-nund.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12 and seniors 62 and older (admission is free for ages under 3.) Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. The event will go on rain or shine.
Occoneechee State Park has three miles of hiking trails, 15 miles of multi-use trails, picnic areas, shelters, camping, fishing, and three boat launching ramps providing access to Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) for both motor and non-motorized boats. The park also features 11 housekeeping cabins and two family lodges. The park’s visitor center contains the Native American Museum which features a timeline of Native American and Occoneechee culture. The park also has a replica of a Native American dwelling on land that once was home to the Native Occoneechee (or Occaneechi).
The park is 1.5 miles east 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 click here.