BY JENNY CALLISON
Enquirer Contributor
OREGONIA -- Audience members will be asked to join in American Indian dances Saturday and Sunday when the Allegheny River Dancers perform at Fort Ancient's "Woodland Gathering: An Ohio Homecoming."
|
IF YOU GO
|
|
What: Woodland Gathering: An Ohio Homecoming.
Where: Fort Ancient, 7 miles southeast of Lebanon on Ohio 350.
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Hours: Open at 10 a.m.; program starts at 11:15 a.m. Site closes 8 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $5; children 6-12, $1.25. Free for season pass holders and Ohio Historical Society members.
Information: (513) 932-4421 or (800) 283-8904. |
"We will be demonstrating Iroquois social dances, dressed in traditional regalia, and will use traditional Seneca instruments like rattles and the water drum," said Bill Crouse, group leader. "We also like to get our audience involved in some of the easier dances."
The Allegheny River Dancers are among many American Indians who will create a living history experience for visitors. The event will feature heritage crafts, storytelling and life skills of the Shawnee, Miami, Delaware and other Indian cultures.
In a re-created Eastern Woodland village, typical of a Miami settlement in the 1740s, Indians will demonstrate ribbon, bead and quill work, basket-weaving and open-fire cooking. Visitors may experiment with spears, bows and arrows, and learn Indian games. Activity centers will offer crafts for children.
Scheduled programs include a demonstration of Indian beadwork and stitchery each day at 11:15 a.m., a demonstration of ribbon work and moccasin decoration at 2:30 p.m. by Margaret Bird, an Osage and Delaware Indian, and the dancers at noon and at 3 p.m.
Food and beverages will be sold.
The Woodland Gathering complements the activities and exhibits in Fort Ancient's recently renovated museum.
Outside, visitors can explore the site, which is North America's largest and best-preserved prehistoric hilltop enclosure: 3 1/2 miles of earthen rim walls built by Hopewell Indians 2,000 years ago.
