Woodland Indians celebrate culture

9/28/2006

Two top Native American musicians will be featured this weekend at the fourth annual gathering of the Black Swamp InterTribal Foundation Woodland Indian Celebration at Buttonwood Park in Perrysburg.

Violinist Arvel Bird has toured with Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, and Ray Price, and is a recording artist on the Singing Wolf Records label of Nashville. His concerts involve violin and native flute playing, along with stories about the spirit power of birds and animals.

Award-winning Springboro, Ohio, flute player Douglas Blue Feather also is to perform. He has won several Native American Music Awards, and he tours regularly.

The musical performances are Saturday and Sunday as early as 10 or 11 a.m., with the schedule subject to change.

In addition to the music, the gathering will feature children's activities and a living-history Woodland Indian Village with a number of demonstrations.

Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for people 60 and older, $2 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and younger. Parking is $1. Buttonwood Park is in the Betty C. Black Recreation Area off State Rt. 65 about one mile west of Fort Meigs State Memorial Park.

Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Gates close at dusk Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The grand entry is at noon both days.

Information: 419-381-7042.