september, 2018

29sep - 30All DayHammonassett Festival(All Day) Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane, Guilford, CT 06437Event Type:Family,Featured Event,Festivals & Carnivals,Learning & Exploration,Live Music,The Great Outdoors

Event Details

Hammonassett Festival | September 29 & 30

The Hammonassett Festival returns to the Guilford Fairgrounds this fall for two days of celebration, education and entertainment. Honoring the environment and Native American traditions, the 8th Festival will take place on Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We’ve listened to feedback about ways to enhance the experience and educational value of the Festival,” says Barbara Hanson, Festival Chair, “and we chose Children and Families: We Are All Connected as this year’s theme to complement the celebration.  Children and families are at the heart of all cultures, they are the beginning and the future.”

“The gift of knowledge provided by the elders and passed down through generations of family and community is a time-honored tradition of Native American peoples”, says Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke), Education Coordinator at The Institute for American Indian Studies.  “It teaches us how to live in balance with all living things, leading us to a deeper respect for each other, ourselves and our environment.”  “It is knowing that we are all connected”, adds Ms. Hanson.

Each day begins with a Native American blessing and smudging ceremony, led by Allan Saunders (Mohegan).  There will be multiple appearances by our featured performers:

  • Erin Meeches (Schaghticoke) and the Native Nations Dance Troupe. The Native American dancers will gather in the Dance Circle to share their dances and interpretations, dressed in traditional regalia and accompanied by live singing and drumming of a Native drum group.
  • The Chankas of Peru who will once again share the amazing Scissors Dance, a traditional highland Andean ritual competition between two or more dancers. Each dancer will showcase his repertoire of acrobatics, gymnastics, aerial jumps, and intricate footwork.
  • Tchin (Narragansett), Native American storyteller, will make his Hammonassett Festival debut. Tchin is a nationally known performance artist and educator who, through the art of oral tradition, shares stories that have been passed down through generations and that will illuminate minds of all ages.

Music and song will be provided both days by Allan Madahbee (Ojibway) playing Native American flute and guitar. There will also be performances by Scott Shuffitt, playing Native American-style flutes, with Todd Secki on drum.  Around the grounds, under tents and in the Butterly Building you will find an array of vendors and traders, exhibitors and educators. There will be live wildlife shows, an expanded children’s area, the ever-popular New England Atlatl Championship, and a variety of food choices.

“Come join us as we celebrate the importance of children and families”, Ms. Hanson concludes. “And how the knowledge that we are all connected can nurture hope and gratitude and strengthen our responsibilities to one another and our environment.”

Admission: Adults, $5; children under 12, free

Parking: Free on-site parking

Note: No pets or alcohol at the Fairgrounds; no ATM on premises

Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane, Guilford, CT

Website

Time

september 29 (Saturday) - 30 (Sunday)

Location

Guilford Fairgrounds

111 Lovers Lane, Guilford, CT 06437

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