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Seminole Okalee Indian Village was the first eco tourism attraction for the Seminole Tribe. It provided a place for employment and a location for retail sales for the Tribe's arts and craft products. It also allowed the Tribe to showcase its culture and educate the public about the traditional lifestyles of Seminoles when they lived in the Everglades in the 1800s. On Thursday, March 11, a variety of Seminole Indian handicrafts and artwork will be on display. These competitions, submitted in a variety of age categories, will showcase the intricate, colorful and delicate handicrafts the Seminoles Tribe has historically come to be known for. Items on display will include Seminole patchwork clothing and design, Seminole Palmetto dolls, woodwork, Sawgrass basketry and beadwork. Other traditional art mediums including mixed-media, watercolor, acrylics, ceramics and pencil and ink will demonstrate a variety of Florida Seminole Indian themes and visions. Activity highlights for the day include an Okalee Wildlife Show, deep water alligator show, flute player Sonny Nevaquaya, the Anikituhwa Warrior Dancers, Monument Valley Dancers, Seminole Stomp Dancers and entertainers Paul Buster and the Cowbone Band and R.C North and Hybiskus. On Friday, March 12, activities will, again, include an Okalee Wildlife Show, Deep Water Alligator Show, flute player Sonny Nevaquaya, the Three Feathers Dance Troupe, the Anikituhwa Warrior Dancers, Monument Valley Dancers, Seminole Stomp Dancers and entertainers the Cowbone Band and R.C North and Hybiskus. At 5 p.m., Little Mr. &Miss Seminole will be crowned followed by a children's clothing contest at 7:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., Seminole Superstars take the stage featuring Spencer Battiest, Zachary Battiest and Steven Billie. Saturday, March 13 special events include a Seminole Tribal Fair, storyteller, canoe races, Indigenous at 4 p.m., a Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition at 6 p.m. and a spectacular synchronized fireworks display over Lake Paradise at 9 p.m. The Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition is open to tribal members and non tribal members. Competitors will have to prove that they have experience handling alligators. Registration closes Thursday March 11th, for more information contact James Holt at 954-826-7433. The festival closes out on Sunday, March 14 with the Three Feathers Dance Troupe, the Anikituhwa Warrior Dancers, Monument Valley Dancers, an Okalee Wildlife Show, Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition and more. Throughout the festival, traditional Seminole Indian food will be available for purchase as well as a variety of hand-crafted Native American arts & crafts. Built around traditional Seminole "chickee" huts and pathways through a natural habitat emulating the Florida Everglades, it showcases up-close animal habitats and exhibits that are part of the Seminole wildlife experience, along with a prestigious collection of Seminole cultural and historical artifacts. For more information about the Seminole Okalee Indian Village 50th Anniversary celebration, please call 954-797-5551 or visit www.okaleevillage50year.com. ### |
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