UA’s Moundville Park Celebrates 30th Native American Festival Oct. 3-6

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park will host the 30^th annual Moundville Native American Festival Oct. 3-6.

The event features artists, craftsmen and educators from around the nation sharing their knowledge of Native American culture. Aside from traditional activities, organizers plan to commemorate the 30^th year of the festival by reflecting on the past and celebrating how far the event has come.

“It’s fascinating to see how the festival has grown over the years,” said Kayla Scott, education outreach coordinator and festival director at UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park. “What started as a half-day event with an opening ceremony and a couple of activities is now a four-day festival that attracts more than 10,000 people on an annual basis.”

The festival will include several prominent Native American performers. Lyndon Alec will perform hoop dancing, and the group Chikasha Hithla will demonstrate Chickasaw stomp dancing. Grammy Award winner GrayHawk Perkins will once again be the Native American stage emcee and provide entertainment throughout the festival.

Living history presenters will re-enact how different Native American tribes lived and thrived over the years. Presenters will demonstrate cooking, dressmaking,  tools and weapons. Demonstration arbors will feature Native American beadwork, pottery firing, textile making and other traditional Native American crafts. A Knapper’s Corner will be located by the riverbank where stone tool making demonstrations will take place.

“The living history and demonstration areas are great for the entire family,” said Scott. “The presenters will tailor their conversations to whomever talks with them. They provide great illustrations of the Native American way of life.”

The children’s area will include numerous crafts activities, stickball demonstrations and other educational activities. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Jones Archaeological Museum, gift shop and café, which will be open throughout the festival.

Vendors of quality Native American crafts will also be on hand, as well as food vendors who will provide Native American foods and traditional festival foods such as hotdogs and shaved ice.

“The Native American Festival is a fantastic event for all ages that is not only educational but also very friendly and fun,” said Scott.

The 2018 Moundville Native American Festival has been designated as a special event celebrating the state of Alabama’s bicentennial.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Pre-registered groups of 10 or more are $8 per person. Visit moundville.ua.edu for more information on early group registration.

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