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Schedule
of Ceremonies and Events Set For Annual Nipmuc Native American
Indian Fair
Sunday July 27th, 2008
GRAFTON, MASSACHUSETTS: The schedule of ceremonies and events for the
Nipmuc Nation’s 54th Native American Indian Fair have been set by Nipmuc Nation Chief Natachaman Walter Vickers, who will preside over the
day’s events, and Nipmuc Nation Tribal Council member Bruce Curliss,
master of ceremonies. The Native American Indian Fair will be held on
the last Sunday of July from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Hassanamisco Nipmuc
Reservation, 80 Brigham Hill Road in Grafton.
The following is the general schedule of events as provided by the Nipmuc
Nation:
HASSANAMISCO NIPMUC RESERVATION
54th ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN FAIR
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:00 AM Grounds open to the public
Good time to walk around, find a place to sit on the hill and visit
vendors
11:15 AM Lighting of the fire and preparing the circle
for dancing and ceremonies
12:00 Noon Naming Ceremony for Tribal members
Led by Chief Natachaman (Walter Vickers) and Elders of the Nation
12:30 PM Children's activity - Open to all
children who wish to participate
Led by Sherry Cavers
1:30 PM Dancers will gather at the top of the
hill for Grand Entry
Warm-up songs for drums present
Explanations and expectations of everyone for Grand Entry
2:00 PM Grand Entry - (program in the circle
officially begins)
Thanksgiving prayer (Invocation)
Calumet (Pipe Ceremony)
Welcome Dance
Greetings from various dignitaries
Introductions of dancers present
Various dances based on dancers present and styles of dance will be
explained as they happen.
Audience participation dances
4:00 PM
Closing Prayer and Closing Song
The Nipmuc Nation Native American Fair
features Native American food, music and ceremonials with dancers
dressed in colorful, traditional Indian clothing. The Opening
Ceremonies, featuring the Grand Entry, begin at 2:00 PM. Numerous Native
American crafts and toys, jewelry, and garments will be on display and
available for sale by exhibitors.
Admission to the Fair is by donation: $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for
children. No pets please.
Parking is available at the Grafton Lions Club Park on Brigham
Hill Road. Courtesy shuttle transportation to and from the Reservation
grounds will be provided by Nipmuc Nation Transportation Services. Per
arrangements with the Grafton Selectmen and the Grafton Police
Department, traffic on Brigham Hill Road between Providence Road
(municipal center) and North Brigham Hill Road will be one way (north)
from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, July 29th. Traffic coming south on
Brigham Hill Road will be diverted at North Brigham Hill onto Wheeler
Road and onto Worcester Street. Overflow parking, if necessary, will be
available at the Grafton Municipal Center with shuttle transportation
provided to the Reservation grounds.
For
Information: Chief Natachaman Walter Vickers (508) 393-8860
Web Site:
http://www.nipmucnation.org/
NO PETS, DRUGS, OR ALCOHOL
PARKING AT THE LIONS’ CLUB
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
2003 Powwow
A four acre lot on
Brigham Hill Road in Grafton that has never been owned by the White Man
was again the scene for the annual Native American Fair to exhibit
and honor Indian traditions. On July 27, 2003, Chief Walter Vickers, a
Nipmuc, celebrated in the pipe ceremony which gives thanks to the
four winds, Mother Earth and the Great Spirit.
The day was filled with
Indian food, including succotash and several dances , including a welcome
dance, a snake dance, and an old age dance with dancers and natives
dressed in colorful, traditional Indian clothing . A young boy
participated in the Name Recognition ceremony where he received his new
Indian name, "Born on Wednesday".
Numerous Indian crafts and
toys, jewelry, garments were displayed by exhibitors of the Nipmuc,
Pawnee and the Wampanaog tribes. This Fair was host to many inquisitive
visitors spread throughout the four acre site during this warm and
welcoming July Sunday afternoon. This annual event is a
lovely gathering as well as a connection to times past where
respect and honoring nature's elements was truly a part of everyday
life.
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