American Bus Association Names UA’s Moundville Native American Festival One of North America’s 100 Best Events

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bus Association has named the Moundville Native American Festival at The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2006.

The 2005 Festival will be held Oct. 5-8. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations Magazine, indicates the festival, which celebrates Southeastern culture, offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, according to an ABA representative.

“The attractiveness of the Moundville Native American Festival as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for this spectacular event,” said Peter J. Pantuso, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that Moundville Archaeological Park has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives this Tuscaloosa area National Historic Landmark an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”

According to a study recently completed by researchers at The George Washington University, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from $5,000 to more than $11,000 in a local destination’s economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

“Simply put,” said Pantuso, “motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer. That’s why the Moundville Native American Festival is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay.”

ABA’s 2006 Top 100 Events Selection committee selected the Moundville Native American Festival from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and visitors bureaus.

Judges considered the event’s broad appeal, accessibility to motorcoaches, skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

Only one other Alabama event was selected for the 2006 Top 100 Events list, the Huntsville Black Arts Festival. Two Alabama events were selected in 2005, and no events in Alabama made the highly competitive list in 2004.

The annual Moundville Native American Festival provides a unique and unforgettable educational experience. Visitors will discover the rich culture of the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw and Seminole natives whose regional descendants return to the Moundville site for an annual homecoming.

This year’s festival features the fine Bluegrass of Glen “White Cloud” Bonham and the 2005 Native American Music Award’s “Flutist of the Year” Billy Whitefox.

A member of the Choctaw Tribe from Oklahoma, Bonham grew up in a family of Bluegrass musicians and began performing professionally in 1971 with talents such as Bill Grant, Delia Bell and the Kiamichi Mountain Boys. Bonham says he strives to create no boundaries for his fluent music writing and performance, drawing from the influences of Bluegrass, Rock & Roll, Rhythm and Blues and his own Native American heritage.

Bonham has performed at major Bluegrass Festivals for more than 20 years and has more than 100 songs to his songwriting credit. Often recognized for his recurring role in the Chuck Norris television series, “Walker: Texas Ranger,” Bonham will perform at noon and 4 p.m. on Oct. 8 of the Moundville Festival.

Billy Whitefox is a Southeastern Muskogee Creek and a national champion flute maker. Whitefox makes old style river cane flutes. He is also a self-taught silversmith preserving his heritage through his music and arts. In 2005, Whitefox won the Native American Music Award “Flutist of the Year.”

As a Florida State Commissioner for Human Relations, he shares stories of his culture at schools, colleges, churches and prisons. He is requested by museums and schools to educate children and adults about his Indian heritage and the art of his music, flutes and jewelry.

Whitefox’s first CD, “Sacred Journey,” was an international hit. He says “When the Wind Sings” is dedicated to all the loving friends and family who bless his life each day. Whitefox will perform daily at the Moundville Festival.

Festival visitors may also enjoy shopping for unique arts and crafts, playing ancient games and climbing Alabama’s tallest mound. Native-inspired foods, such as roasted turkey legs, shuck-roasted corn and frybread will be available, as will more contemporary fare. Call 205/371-2233 or see the website at www.moundville.ua.edu.

The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park is located 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off state Highway 69.

The Top 100 Events list is available online at http://www.buses.org/top_100_events/