Native American Heritage Festival set May 9 in Clarksville

Occoneechee State Park in Clarksville will host the 17th annual Native American Heritage Festival on May 9.

Gates open at 10 a.m. with the grand entry scheduled for noon.

Participating this year are drum groups from the Haliwa Saponi Tribe of Hollister, N.C.; and dancers, presenters and vendors from the Monacans, the Lumbee, the Lakota Sioux, the Occoneechi, the Cherokee/Catawba, the Sappony and numerous other tribes.

Marvin Burnett, one of the East Coast's leading masters of ceremonies, will appear again this year. Other presenters and guests include Lee Chichester with the Virginia Falconry Association and internationally recognized Native American flute player and musician Jeff Ball. Ball and his band will perform throughout the afternoon.

Freshly prepared food and unique handmade crafts will also be featured. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 3-12 and seniors 62 and older. Children younger than 3 are admitted free. No pets allowed on festival grounds.

For more information, call (434) 374-2210 or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov.