A local festival will celebrate Southeast Ohio’s Native American history this weekend.
The Plains Indian Mound Festival starts today at The Plains Community Park. The festival, which continues Saturday and Sunday, features games and entertainment suitable for all ages.
“It celebrates the Hopewell and Adena Indians in this area,” said Jim Norris, president of The Plains Lions Club. “They built about 20 mounds in The Plains, and this celebrates that heritage.”
Food and craft vendors will begin selling their wares at 4 p.m. today. Children’s games, American Indian dancers, music, karaoke and a car show will also be featured at this three-day event, which made its first appearance in the early ’80s.
“I like to hear the music and socialize and meet the people,” Norris said. “It’s a community event. We have crafters and vendors, horse rides, and face painting. There’s something for everybody.”
Today, visitors can attend or enter the car show and check out the Brave and Princess contestants’ introductions, as well as the Queen evening gown presentation.
“We’ve added a senior queen pageant this year for girls aged 13 to 19,” said Clyde Bartlett, vice president of The Plains Lions Club. “We’ve always had our 5-year-old Brave and Princess pageant.”
Saturday features a magic show, a ’50s and ’60s style rock ’n’ roll concert, line dancing, and a fish fry. The Plains Fire Department also will put on a vehicle-rescue demo.
“We have country music and rock ’n’ roll music,” Norris said. “There’s also a karaoke music festival. It brings out the local talent.”
Sunday, gospel music and a parade with almost 50 units are on the agenda. A full schedule of events can be found at www.athensohio.com.
“It’s a good fall activity if the weather stays nice,” Bartlett said. “We keep adding new stuff each year.”
The Plains Community Park is located off state Route 33 and state Route 682, Connett Road, in The Plains.
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