The 9th Hammonassett Festival will return to the Guilford Fairgrounds at 111 Lovers Lane to honor the environment and Native American cultures.

The two-day celebration will take place on Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We invite you to join us for a weekend of fun, celebration, education, and entertainment,” says Barbara Hanson, Festival Chair. “We chose Mother Earth is in Our Hands as this year’s theme. We wish to express our gratitude for Mother Earth’s many gifts and learn ways to care for them.”

“Mother Earth is the source of all life and our greatest teacher,” says Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke), Education Coordinator at The Institute for American Indian Studies. “She teaches us that all things must live in harmony. We must respect and care for our Mother, in order to provide for the seven generations that are coming.”

Each day will begin with a Native American prayer and smudging ceremony, led by Allan Saunders (Mohegan), followed by multiple appearances of featured performers:

• Wade Fernandez, of the Menominee Nation in Wisconsin. Wade has been sharing his musical art for over thirty years as an international award-winning musician, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

• Erin Lamb-Meeches (Schaghticoke) and the Native Nations Dance Troupe.The Native American dancers will gather in the dance circle to share their dances and interpretations, accompanied by the Native drum group, Pine Tree Singers.

• The Chankas of Peru will share the amazing Scissors Dance, a traditional highland Andean ritual competition.Each dancer will showcase his repertoire of acrobatics, gymnastics, aerial jumps, and intricate footwork. 

Allan Madahbee (Ojibway) will emcee the festival and will also play Native American flute and guitar. Around the grounds, under tents and in the Butterfly Building will be an array of vendors, exhibitors and educators. There will be environmental exhibits and wildlife shows, an expanded children’s area, the New England Atlatl Championship, and a variety of food choices.

The Festival is presented by the Friends of Hammonasset, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which provides public environmental awareness programs and serves as an advocate for Hammonasset Beach State Park.

Find more information including ticket prices and schedule of events at Facebook.com/

HammonassettFestival.

Vendor/exhibitor pre-registration required; contact hammonassettfestival@gmail.com