The fifth annual (Three Moons) Attakapas Opelousas Prairie Tribe Festival is scheduled Saturday at the Farmers Market Pavilion, 828 E. Landry, Opelousas.
The festival is a free, family-friendly event hosted by Chief Nolan Gobert, and led by Headman, Harvey Whitford, of the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana and his wife, Carolyn Gray Whitford, of the Attakapas Opelousas Prairie Tribe. The festival offers education of the culture and heritage of Native Americans.
Children and adults can take dancing and craft lessons, as well as learn about Native American Stick Ball and Washer Games. Demonstrations of cowhide chair making and craftsmanship led by Danny Lee Petrella of the Mamou Choctaw.
Schedule
9:30 a.m. Gourd dancing by former Chief Mayeaux of The Avogel Tribe of Louisiana.
11:30 a.m. Grand entry.
Noon Flint knapping demonstration by Gary Perry of the Avogel Tribe of Louisiana.
12:30 p.m. Native American Flute Musician Claude Guillory Gallien
12:40 Native American drum and dancing by Canneci N’de banc of Lipan Apache.
1 p.m. Attakapas Opelousas Prairie Tribe dancers.
1:30 p.m. Jewerly making demonstration by Theresa Semien Gobert of Attakapas OPT.
2 p.m. Native American craftman demonstration by Danny Lee Petrella of Mamou Choctaw.
2:30 p.m. Drumming by Theresa Semien Gobert & Amy Gobert Cormier of The Attakapas OPT.
4 p.m. Inter-Tribal Dancing.
In keeping Native traditions, veterans will be honored.
There will be Native foods provided by The Attakapas food vendors, including red reans and rice, shrimp fettucine, jambayala and corn macque choux.
No ice chests and visitors are asked to bring chairs as seating is limited.
