Festival celebrates Native American culture in Moundville

The four-day Moundville Native American Festival got underway Wednesday, celebrating the culture of Southeastern Native Americans.

The 35th annual Moundville Native American Festival is being held at the University of Alabama Moundville Archaeological Park, 634 Mound State Parkway. The festival's hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

More: An autumn to remember: Can't-miss events fill Tuscaloosa's fall calendar

Admission is $10 for adults, students and seniors. Children 5 years and younger will be admitted free. Tickets are only available for purchase at the event.

"Descendants of Moundville’s people are still here today,” said Clay Nelson, director of Moundville Archaeological Park in a news release. “Native American cultures are still thriving and connected to their ancestors in unique ways. The festival helps us celebrate that and learn more about that connection.”

The festival features artists, craftsmen, and educators from around the nation, who will share their knowledge of Native American culture. People will be able to buy Native American crafts and food, as well as traditional festival foods.

Visitors will learn through demonstrations on Native American lifeways and art, storytelling, music, along with classes on flintknapping and movement. The children’s area will feature lessons on how to play stickball and other activities. The festival will also feature stickball games Friday and Saturday.

Festival attendees are also encouraged to visit the Jones Archaeological Museum's new exhibit, “Wearing History: Native American Adornment Past and Present,” which will highlight Native American regalia from Moundville’s descendant communities.

For more information, go to https://festival.museums.ua.edu

Reach Jasmine Hollie at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Festival features Native American culture, food, art and more