The seventh annual Native American Heritage Festival will host singer/songwriter, and Native American flutist of Mi’kmaq/Cree descent, Gareth as headline performer on April 8th, 2017 at Bisset Park in Radford, VA.
Gareth is a four-time Indian Summer Music Award nominee, four-time Native American Music Award nominee, and “Rising Star Award” recipient. His song “Sky Before a Storm” reached #2 on the Billboard New Age Music Top 100 charts.
Gareth is also a champion of St. Jude Children’s Hospital and an anti-bullying advocate. Proceeds from “Regen’s Song,” recorded with Grammy award-winning pianist Laura Sullivan, were donated to the children’s hospital.
Also, featured at this year’s Native American Heritage festival will be Aztec dancers, Native Americans in full regalia, Warrior Path as Host Drum, Red Fire Singers as Guest Drum and craft and food vendors with authentic merchandise reflecting the cultural heritage of the different tribes of Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.
Dancers in full regalia are welcome to participate in a $500 Luck of the Draw.
On April 8, gates will open at 11 a.m. At noon, there will be a Grand Entry procession of many tribal affiliations, head dancers, elders and children.
Master of Ceremonies, Lowery Begay, will direct the activities in the arena and will explain the symbolism, protocol and spiritual meanings of the dances, regalia and drums to attendees.
Bisset Park is a natural backdrop for this event because when it was being excavated, Native American artifacts were found that dated back some 400-plus years.
Admission prices for the Festival are as follows: $5 for adults, $3 for youth and veterans.
The festival will be held rain or shine. Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.
Bisset Park is located on West Main Street at 23 Berkely Williams Drive in Radford.
Virginia is for Music Lovers and the event is being sponsored by the Radford Visitor’s Center and the Virginia Tourism Corporation. More information is available at www.VisitRadford.com or by calling 540-267-3153.
— Submitted by
Deborah Cooney
