Thunder Mountain Lenape' Nation 13th Annual Native American Festival

Recently, I attended my first ever Native American festival.  The Thunder Mountain Lenape' Nation's 13th Annual Native American Festival was held on Saturday, August 20th and Sunday, August 21st in Saltsburg, PA. 

After a beautiful and scenic ride through some back roads in the outlying part of Saltsburg, We arrived at the festival grounds - a clearing nestled in the forest surrounded by ridge tops.  Below is a picture of the great view of the surrounding ridge tops.

Admission to the festival was an affordable $3.  Inside the entrance tent were items for sale, registration for a tomahawk tournament, tickets for a Chinese auction and 50/50 tickets.

Below are the amazing scenes that festival attendees were greeted with upon exiting the entrance tent.

 During both days of the festival, art and crafts booths displayed their Native American items for purchase by festival attendees.  Native American food, including buffalo burgers, were set up along with a pavilion area for visitors to enjoy delicious items.  

Check out the photos below to see some of the unique items available for purchase.

Visitors could also visit the "Activities Tent" for a wide variety of exhibits and demonstrations held throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday.  Such exhibits and demonstrations included:  Lenape' life skills presentations, Tomahawk throw - practice and tournament, a leather craft presentation presented by Tandy Leather, a scavenger hunt, wampam shell rattle making for children, Native American games and archery.

Below is a photo of the center of the festival grounds where dancing and drumming ceremonies took place. 

Three groups participated in the drumming at the festival this year:

Southern Drum – Friendly Voices

Northern Drum – Muddy Creek

Guest Drums – Mother Earth Beat

  

Below: photos of dancer's preparing to enter the dance circle.

Pictured Below is Pat Star Dancer Selinger - Thunder Mountain Lenape' Nation Turtle Clan Mother.  

Pictured Below is PA State Rep. Dave Reed accepting a "Ticket to Success" Award.

Pictured Below: Indiana County Commissioner Rodney Ruddock. Indiana County Commissioners proclaimed August 2011 as "Native American Awareness Month" in Indiana County.

 Photo's below: Dance demonstrations and performances which took place periodically throughout the day - including opportunities for public involvement.

 

 The musical talents of Michael Jacobs, an award-winning contemporary Native American recording artist, entertained the crowd throughout the day.

 Pictured below: more photos of various dance sessions held throughout the day.

  

There was also a Path/Medicine Wheel Garden where Native American stories were shared as well as information on the elements, crystals, stones, herbs and plants which make up the medicine wheel. 

If you have never attended a Native American Festival before, you should mark Thunder Mountain Lenape' Nation's Annual Native American Festival on your calendar for next year to experience a unique and educational experience!  And if you have already attended this festival, then I'm sure you've probably already marked your calendar to be able to once again attend this fun weekend!