Volunteers Sought for 2009 Native American Festival at UA’s Moundville Park

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park needs volunteers for this year’s Moundville Native American Festival, from Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Saturday, Oct. 10.

With more than 150 Native Americans and other experts, the festival celebrates the culture and heritage of Southeastern Indians. Traditional and contemporary artists, performers and historians demonstrate authentic arts, crafts and lifestyles associated with Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole people.

In addition to exposing visitors to Southeastern Indians and their culture, the festival interprets the ways of their ancestors, relying heavily on history and tradition for re-creating many activities. Children and adults are encouraged to join in hands-on crafts and activities, eat Native American foods, listen to traditional storytellers or play games. At least 12,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival.

Trained volunteers help interpret Mound B, the park’s archaeology and the living history encampment. Other volunteers assist with festival hospitality, parking and children’s activities. Festival volunteers must commit to a minimum of eight hours of work in four-hour shifts beginning either at 8:30 a.m. or noon. Volunteers are asked to arrive 30 minutes before their shift to sign in and be stationed at their position.

Volunteers completing these requirements receive the official Moundville Native American Festival T-shirt and are fed on site during festival hours. Volunteers also are invited to a Thursday evening dinner reception.

Moundville Archaeological Park is 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa just off Alabama 69. The festival kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, and runs through 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. To register as a volunteer, or for more information, call Claudia Cummings or Chip Wente at 205/371-8732 or e-mail ccumming@ua.edu or wawente@ua.edu. The park’s Web site is http://moundville.ua.edu.