Friday, March 29, 2024

Family festival teaches diversity

September 24, 2001
Grand Rapids resident and Michigan flintknapper Bob Harasim, left, shows his nephew Kris Ketchum, 12, of Kalamazoo how to flintknapp. Flintknapping is the use of pressure on stones to create arrowheads, knives and other sharp tools. —

For Robert Henderson, attending events with his family like the Fourth Annual Meridian Heritage Festival is a great opportunity.

“I think it’s great that you can let people know the heritage of races,” said the Lansing resident, as his wife Taunya and daughters Alexis and Alana observed ducks nearby.

“We try to go to at least one ethnic festival every summer. We are determined to give them (our children) a broad spectrum. I like showing my kids the different animals.”

In addition to horses, goats and turtles, the festival featured crafts, jewelry, artwork and pottery for purchase, historic re-enactments, music, dance performances and food.

There were also antique cars on display, storytelling and demonstrations of knitting and basket weaving.

The event, held Saturday, was co-sponsored by the Nokomis Learning Center in Okemos, a cultural center that uses field trips and tours to preserve the history and arts of Native Americans.

Cameron Wood, director of the Nokomis Learning Center, 5153 Marsh Road in Okemos, said the family event drew a crowd of 3,000 last year.

“The purpose is to educate people about Great Lakes Native American people,” he said. “We do field trip experiences for school groups but this is probably the largest public event we are involved in.”

Robin Faust, Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Department secretary, said each year the festival gets bigger.

“We have more music and food than last year,” she said. “Each year is different.”

Faust said the event is especially enjoyable for families.

“Everybody loves it,” she said. “The kids love it because there is a petting zoo. They learn how to churn butter, learn how quilts are made and they learn how clothing is made.”

Carlene Webster, president of Friends of the Historic Meridian, said she hopes people enjoy the experience of visiting the center.

“We have good publicity and fliers go out through the school to encourage families to attend,” she said. “It’s designed to be a family event. Something for all ages.”

Discussion

Share and discuss “Family festival teaches diversity” on social media.