It’s time to give thanks, tell stories, and eat some fry bread.
Queens County Farm Museum hosts the annual Harvest Dance Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 12, from 11 am to 4 pm.
Now in its fourth year, the festivities include several performances by the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers in full regalia along with a Native American Food & Craft Market.
There’s free admission to the venue and market, but performance tickets run from $12 to $17. (Children under age four can attend for free.)
At 2 pm, the performances will kick off with Apache, Cherokee, Choctaw, Hopi, Kiowa, Lenape, Maya, Santo Domingo, Taino, and Winnebago nations scheduled to participate. Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating and picnic blankets.
The dancers will explain their choreography, but here’s a sample.
- Grass: Before moving to a new camping area, the Grass Dance would create a smooth area for teepees.
- Hoop: This dance tests skills such as endurance, technique, and timing. It can involve as many as 30 hoops and the fervent beat of drums.
- Contest: Usually done by children, the objective is to pick up a fallen feather without touching the ground. The audience may participate.
Meanwhile, the market, which opens at 11 am, features more than 15 North and Central American vendors specializing in ceramics, textiles, handcraft, artisanal instruments and drums, wampum, modern and vintage jewelry, stones, crystals, beadwork, and food (i.e. fry bread).
Queens Farm’s entrance is at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Glen Oaks. The 47-acre venue has a free parking lot and bicycle racks.
Images: Queens County Farm Museum