Weippe Camas Festival event May 23-25
By Mike Green
The merriment of the present and 200 years of the past will mix in the near future at the Eighth Annual Camas Festival in Weippe, May 23, 24, and 25.
“Tales, Trails and Trading”
In addition to the usual popular events, several distinctive stage acts are planned to spotlight the theme of the festival this year, “Tales, Trails and Trading” said Marge Kuchynka, event chairperson. Those include an internationally recognized presenter of Native American culture, an expert in the aesthetics of the renowned Nez Perce Tribe, a professional interpretive stage performer, and Weippe’s own history aficionado, Mayor Norm Steadman.
“The festival this year will be rich in creating an entertaining look at the area’s diverse history,” Kuchynka said. “We’ve made a big effort to make this a fun event with a bent for local history.”
Steadman, Mayor of Weippe the past 40 years, will present his premier solo performance of “Trail Tales, Sheep Tales and Wails on the Trail.” Norm is a charter speaker on the LCSC Speakers Bureau Program, and served several years on the Idaho Governor’s and Clearwater Snake Lewis and Clark Trail Committees.
Native American Studies Program
Brought in from Kansas will be Native American cultural educator Dennis Rogers, a member of the Navajo Nation. Rogers, who has performed in five countries and 38 states will demonstrate tribal art forms of sand painting, feather work, flute and hand drum playing and his award-winning “Spirit Dance” and “Hoop Dance”. Rogers is founder and president of Native American Studies Programs.
Acclaimed to be one of the best “first person interpreters” in the nation, educator Garry Bush will bring history alive as he presents tales of trading life along the Missouri, Snake and Columbia rivers. Bush, an Idaho native, was trained as a teacher consultant by the National Geographic Society.
Nez Perce tribal traditions
Cultural traditions of the local Nez Perce Tribe will be showcased by tribal member Gwen Carter. Along with her family members, Carter will show the processing of camas roots, tea, berries, beadwork and basket work. “Gwen’s family has been digging roots and gathering berries in this area and Musselshell area for more than 100 years,” Kuchynka said.
Activities
The ever popular melodrama is back as is the Buffalo Chip Toss, a fun walk/run, a Dutch oven dinner and a variety of live music. Music performers include the Down Home Music Makers, Jody Harris, Rawhide and Justus and Lonesome Pine Drifters.
The festival midway will consist of an 1805 military encampment, Indian games, sand art, mule rides, arts and crafts vendors and food vendors. Also slated are a horseshoe pitch contest, a Camas “C” shirt contest and a silent auction. Sunday’s Trail lunch is a new event this year that precedes the matinee melodrama performance.
All events will take place at the Weippe Community Hall and Mini-Park.
Festival sponsors include the Idaho Humanities Council, the Nez Perce National Historic Park, the Nez Perce National Historic trail and the Weippe Camas Committee and Community Club.
Schedule of events
Friday, May 23
5 p.m. - Dutch Oven cook-off/ Trail Dinner
7 p.m. - Melodrama “Treachery at Cartilage Creek”
Saturday, May 24
7 a.m. – 10 a.m. - Breakfast
7:30 a.m. - Fun run/walk packet pick-up and late registration
8:30 a.m. - Fun Run/Walk START
All Day - Midway fun, games, displays, food and music
10:15 a.m. - “Trading Tales” - Garry Bush
11:30 a.m. - “Nez Perce Traditions” - Gwen Carter
1 p.m. - “Spirit Dance” - Dennis Rogers
2:30 p.m. - “Trail Tales/Sheep Tales/Wails” - Norm Steadman
4 p.m. - Silent Auction and “C” Shirt Winners Announced
4:30 p.m. – “Hoop Dance”/ Sand Art - Dennis Rogers
7 p.m. - Melodrama “Treachery at Cartilage Creek”
Sunday, May 25
11a.m. - 1 p.m. - Trail Lunch and Trail Music
2 p.m. - Melodrama “Treachery at Cartilage Creek”