Mission San Luis Hosts Native American Festival Winter Solstice Celebration This Weekend

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Mission San Luis is hosting the Winter Solstice Celebration, a Southeastern Native American festival, this Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 17, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's event includes a full schedule of musical performances by nationally known and award-winning acts, tribal dances, storytelling, drum circles, nighttime celestial viewing with the Tallahassee Astronomical Society, crafts for kids, and more.

“I encourage all of Tallahassee and the surrounding area to join us at Mission San Luis for an incredible display of Native American culture and heritage,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “From tribal dances to archery to an amazing array of talented artisans selling fine crafts, the festival has something for everyone in the family to enjoy.”

Performances and activities during the Winter Solstice Celebration include:

• Headliner musical performance by Native American Music Award (NAMMY) Winner Joy Harjo;
• Musical performances by Painted Raven, the Deer Clan Singers, and Rita Youngman;
• Warriors of AniKituhwa demonstrating historic Cherokee war and social dances as well as blow dart gun and moccasin making;
• Mississippi Band of Choctaw demonstrating Choctaw social dances and the traditional stickball game;
• Storytelling in the Apalachee Council House;
• Artisans selling hand-crafted Native American instruments, clothing, jewelry, shell carvings, pine needle baskets, gourd art, native plant and herbal products, dance regalia and more;
• Drum circles;
• Children’s games and make-and-take crafts;
• Archery and spear-throwing activities; and
• Sun, planet and star viewing through powerful telescopes.

Admission to the festival is included with regular-priced admission to Mission San Luis. Adults are $5, seniors 65 and up are $3, children ages six to 12 are $2 and admission is free for Mission San Luis members, children under six and active duty military.

For more information, including performance schedules, visit the Winter Solstice Celebration website at http://www.missionsanluis.org/solstice2017/. 

Kraft Nissan is providing a media and hospitality sponsorship. The Tallahassee Democrat is providing a media sponsorship. Grant funding is provided by Leon County Division of Tourism Development/Visit Tallahassee. The event is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. 

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About Mission San Luis

Mission San Luis, Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum, was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. The Mission, now a National Historic Landmark, brings the early 1700s to life with living history interpreters in period dress, reconstructed period buildings, exhibits, and archaeological research. The site is managed by the Florida Department of State, and support is provided by the Friends of Florida History, Inc. Mission San Luis is located at 2100 West Tennessee Street in Tallahassee, Florida, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 850.245.6406 or visit missionsanluis.org.