The Moundville Native American Festival is going digital.

The 32nd annual festival, hosted by the University of Alabama's Moundville Archaeological Park won't be held in person, but that doesn't mean there aren't several ways people can engage with the festival from their homes.

Park staff has developed a virtual festival experience, including Native American performers, demonstrations and living history teachers, intended to both teach and celebrate Indigenous culture.

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"I’m really excited to go virtual this year because I believe that we will be able to reach more people and encourage them to explore southeastern Native American heritage and culture,” said Lindsey Gordon, education outreach coordinator at Moundville Archaeological Park.

The week-long event will consist primarily of live streams, interactive experiences and pre-recorded videos, and will take place on the festival website.

Upon reaching the site, visitors can enter various portals to experience different aspects of the festival. The performance portal for instance includes stomp dancers, storytelling and hoop dancers. Demonstrators will showcase traditional pottery firing, basket weaving and other crafts.

Vendors also have a place on the site – shops will feature all sorts of traditional Native American items throughout the festival.

"Even though we are going on the web, we will still have the same great performances and demonstrations as well as some new components, such as park-focused lectures and video series," said Gordon.

Although some content will be free to the public, various exclusive content opportunities will be gated to ticket holders who purchase a $10 admission pass.

The festival runs Oct. 5-10 but the content will remain up on the website until June 1, 2021.

 

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