Turning back the clock

Meridian Heritage Festival takes place Saturday

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Thursday, Sept. 22 — More than 2,000people are expected to pour into Meridian Historical Village this Saturday forthe Meridian Heritage Festival.

The annual festival is hosted by theMeridian Township Parks & Recreation Department, the Friends of HistoricMeridian and the Nokomis Native American Cultural Center. This year’s theme will be based on thecustoms, games and cuisine of the Civil War period.

“A vintage baseball game will be played at the soccer fieldbehind the farmers market,” said recreation specialist Greg Grothouse. “Two teams, one from Chelsea and theother from Midland, will be playing the game according to rules from the year1860. It should be interesting tosee how the sport was played right around that time period.”

Michael Rosencrans, manager of theNokomis Native American Cultural Center, says he will be sharing his heritageto visitors in addition to the traditional American aspect of thefestival. “We have a small pow wowscheduled at noon and a storytelling at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.,” Rosencranssaid. He also mentioned that therecould possibly be a Native American cuisine booth near the Nokomis NativeAmerican art gallery that will display hand-woven baskets and a private artcollection.

Michigan State University student AkaAkapelwa will be attending the festival this weekend and says he’s beenfrequenting Meridian Township events since he came to the U.S. for college twoyears ago. Akapelwa says that he and a handful of his friends who areinternational students enjoy going to local events.

“It’s one of the good parts about goingto school in another country. We get to see different cultures,” Akapelwa said.

Other activities, depending on the weather,may include youth barn raising, croquet and horseshoes, pony riding and cidertasting. The Meridian Township Farmers’ Market, Crafters’ Marketplace and FineArt Fair will also be at the festival, presenting products from a variety oflocal vendors.

Meridian Heritage Festival

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

5151 Marsh Road, Okemos

www.meridian.mi.us

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