feature article - september 2007

HEAR THAT DRUMMING?

It’s Indian Summer time

MILWAUKEE’S INDIAN SUMMER  Festival this year rythmically celebrates the theme “One Drum, Many Voices” Sept. 7-9 at Milwaukee's lakefront Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds).

Recognized as the largest American Indian Festival in North America, Indian Summer is an exciting showcase of traditional and contemporary Indian entertainment and cultures. 

Festivalgoers of all ages enjoy the competition pow-wow, cultural demonstrators, authentic tribal villages, entertainment stages with a wide range of music and dance, lacrosse games and demonstrations, a fine arts area, marketplace, American Indian foods, herbal healing, a re-enactment encampment and information on natural healing with herbs and oils.

Entertainment stages present an array of traditional and contemporary dance and music. This year popular country singer Blake Shelton will be the headline entertainer at 7 p.m.Sunday, Sept. 9. His performance is part of the regular festival entertainment line-up and no extra ticket is required.

Visitors to the festival always are drawn to the honor and tradition of the festival’s main event, the competition pow-wow. During special "Intertribal" dances, audience members are invited to join in the dancing. Grand Entries are held at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Friday and Saturday, crowds gather for the fiddle and jig competitions. A fireworks display will be held Saturday evening, featuring the memorable torch-lit canoe procession. A hand drum contest returns following Sunday’s pow-wow.

In the “Traditions Passed On” area, families can watch and ask questions as artisans create, and in the hands-on workshops visitors of all ages can make cornhusk dolls, puzzle bracelets and medicine bags.
Don’t miss Indian Summer's villages where re-created traditional dwellings offer the opportunity to experience time-honored traditions. Nearby, the Circle of Fine Art Exhibition displays fine art with American Indian themes.

The Indian Summer Marketplace is one of the most popular areas at the festival. Vendors from throughout the U.S. and Canada offer an array of Native American-inspired crafts, artwork, books, music, pottery, regalia accessories, blankets, jewelry, toys and beads.

Traditional American Indian foods are available, including Indian tacos, Buffalo, wild rice, corn soup and fry bread.

Sunday activities begin with a non-denominational Prayer Ceremony at 10 a.m., with free admission for those attending. Dylan's 5K Run & Walk for Autism again is a part of the festival on Sunday. For more information contact the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin at 414-427-9345 or visit assew@execpc.com.

Regular festival hours are 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices are $10 (advance), $12 (gate) for adults; $5 (advance), $7 (gate) for children 7-12. Children 6 and under are free. For more information, visit www.indiansummer.org or phone 414-604-1000.