EAST BRUNSWICK–Back for a fourth year, the Redhawk Native American Arts Council will sponsor its annual Raritan Native American Heritage Celebration and Powwow this June.
The Redhawk Native American Arts Council is a council for Native American artists, creating venues for artists to sell their works and help educate the general public about who Native Americans are today, according to the council’s founder and cultural Director, Cliff Matias.
Striving to educate residents about indigenous people’s everlasting traditions, Matias said the council was created in 1994 “to support Native American art and culture in the Tri-State Area.”
The powwow will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 2 and 3, rain or shine, at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds located at 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
The celebration will include Native American dancers, singers and artists from across the Americas. The grand entry of dancers will be at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to information provided by the council.
The event will have 40 vendors selling various items including jewelry, clothing, crystals, stones, food and other merchandise.
Limited seating is available, so attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs and/or umbrellas. No alcohol, drugs, outside food, drinks or coolers will be allowed on the premises.
Tickets are $12 for adults and teens, $10 for seniors and students, $8 for children ages six-12 and free for children five and under. Family four-packs are $35 and must be purchased online. Parking is free.
Matias said the profits from the celebration support the artist council’s work and the council’s Native American scholarship fund.
Residents should attend the event, Matias said, “To learn more about American culture and traditions, because most of what defines the United States from our democracy to the foods we eat are all influenced by Native American traditions.”
For more information. visit www.redhawkcouncil.org/about-us/ or email [email protected].
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].