CALICO ROCK — Native American roots run deep in The Natural State and one area town will recognize that heritage in September.
Calico Rock will present Native American Heritage Weekend Sept. 7 and 8 along Main Street. Admission is free.
Events get under way at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7 with a bonfire, storytelling and dance scheduled to continue until 7 p.m.
Saturday’s events on Sept. 8 will begin at 10 a.m. and are scheduled to include Quapaw pottery featuring Betty Gaedke, storytelling by Jimmie Edwards, chuckwagon cooking, stone-working with Gail Kulhavy and basket-weaving.
Other activities are scheduled to include Native American artist Mike Diaz and textile demonstrations.
Attendees will also get to see samples of Native American tepees and living quarters as well as hoop dance demonstrations from Native American dancers, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The event will commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Trail of Tears through Calico Rock and will welcome representatives from the seven Native American nations, according to officials with the Calico Rock Museum, which is hosting the event.
“Join us as we honor the legacy of our Native American culture and pay our respects to their memory.”
For more information, call the Calico Rock Museum at 870-297-6100 or visit www.calicorockmuseum.com.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Lacy, 34, spent most of her life in the hills of Lawrence County. Today, she lives in Cave City, the home of “World’s Sweetest Watermelons,” in what’s known as the Prince Matlock house. Its former owner helped create what’s known as the Cave Courts where the city’s cave lies above the Crystal River. He fashioned his home out of the same rocks and materials that are found among the cave’s property, and she feels blessed to now be its caretaker for many more years to come.