Cape Coral Indian Festival to be held Dec. 11 and 12
The 3rd annual Cape Coral Indian Festival will be held at Sun Splash Family Waterpark on Dec. 11 and 12.
Barbara Huntoon said Rex Begaye began the Indian Festival three years ago to bring focus of the Native American culture to the Cape Coral area.
“We are growing every year,” she said about the increase in attendance. “We have had nothing but positive feedback.”
The festival will have between 15-20 vendors featuring authentic Native American items like paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, beadwork and leather work.
Begaye, who is a Navaho artist, will also feature pieces from his collection of his traditional stories of his people. He has more than 600 pieces of artwork that represents tradition and stories.
“He visually preserves the cultural stories through his art,” she said.
His artwork can be seen at www.ndn-artist.com.
There will also be Native American food from the Apache nation that will feature buffalo burgers and Indian tacos.
“By sharing the culture we hope to help people understand a little bit more about our relationship with man, the earth and the sky, and how we are related to every species on the planet … we are all one,” she said.
There will also be dancing, flute music and Little Big Mountain featuring the guest drum.
The festival will feature a new guest flutist Alan Hollingfhead, who if of Cherokee heritage. Huntoon said he will perform and showcase his hand-crafted flutes as well at the festival.
She explained that the festival is a very unique event because the drum represents the heart beat of the earth and dancing and drumming are done to honor the earth.
“It’s a celebration of the earth and all life,” Huntoon said.
The cost to attend the festival is $5 for adults, $2 for children and free for youngsters 6 years old and younger.
The festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Sun Splash, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/capecoralindianfestival, email rexbegaye@gmail.com or call (941) 924-2784.
“Come join us and learn about the traditions, music and culture of the Native American people,” Huntoon said.