"The Littlest Indians"......These two Indian children were part of the Indian Dancers, from
Oklahoma that were the "star" attraction at Indian Summer Days, at Heritage Park, on Saturday.

 

Indian Summer Days Attracts
Large Crowd to Heritage Park,
On Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Overcast skies and the "hint" of some possible rain, didn't "dampen" the spirits of Hopkins County residents as they made their way to Heritage Park on Saturday for the annual Indian Summer Days Festival and Dutch Oven Cooking Contest. The event attracted a record number of visitors and featured some outstanding entertainment and "mouth watering" food, prepared in Dutch Ovens.

 

Dutch Oven Fare........This fruit cobbler, entered in the Dutch Oven Cooking Contest on Saturday, by Chris Gibbons,
featured a "fancy" crust, that bore the map of Texas in the center.

 

Gibbons' campsite, sponsored by Hopkins-Rains Farm Bureau, featured this
authenic wagon, self-constructed, to add to the authenticity.

 

The fires were buring early as a record number of participants cooked in the Johnny Chester Memorial Dutch Oven Cooking Contest. "It was very, very hard to choose the winners," exclaimed one of the estemed judges, as she tasted pecan pies, roast, and smothered steak, all prepared in Dutch ovens. "This is some of the best food that I've ever tasted!"

 

 

 

Yuuuuuuuuummmmmm!!!!!

 

Judges in the Dutch Oven Cooking Contest had a hard time determining a winner, because
all of the food was so good!

 

And, while the judging was being completed, patrons were first treated by an appearance of Elvis Presley, aka Josh Davis, who "crooned" some of The King's favorite songs and was dressed in a white jump-suit, characteristic of Presley's attire. Davis passed out token scarves to members of the audience, as he sang a number of The Kings most famous songs.

 

Local "crooner," Josh Davis entertained the crowd with his
rendition of Elvis Presley.

 

Then, the "namesake" Indians made their appearance and delighted the crowd with traditional dances that reflected their rich heritage in Northeast Texas. The dancing group was from neighboring Oklahoma and provided a dialogue of the various steps that are made during the ceremonial dances. Dancers included adults and children, who were dressed in authentic costumes, worn by their forefathers.

 

 

Joe Noah, right, one of the adult Indian Dancers, helped his son,
Peter Noah, get dressed for Saturday's performance at Heritage Park.

 

 

 

Throughout the day, demonstrations were offered in candlemaking, butter churning, and wood carving, that depicted the crafts and talents of those who inhabited Hopkins County, during earlier times.

 

Time moves slow at Heritage Park.

 

Lanny Filak, one of the Cow Country Wood Carvers group, demonstrates some of his wood carvings
at Saturday's Indian Summer Days Festival.

And, cornmeal was ground at the grist mill!

 

"I especially enjoyed seeing the wood carvers," expressed one patron. "Their craft is a dying art and one that is so depictive of the way people lived in previous generations!"

 

 

"How did the pioneers ever make enough candles to light their homes," bemoaned one teenager, as he attempted to dip a cord in hot wax and cool it in water.

 

Polly Swatsell demonstrates to this young lady, how candles were made to
light the homes, during pioneer times, in Hopkins County.

 

"They didn't have very big houses, back then," expressed the docent, as she showed the youngster a small log cabin that was the home to twelve people. "They didn't have a three bedroom home and all of the amenities!"

The Blacksmith Shop, the Printing Press, The General Store, and a number of the historic buildings in Heritage Park were open to the public so that they could experience life during "yesteryear." "We want to show those who are not familiar with the hardships of early life in Hopkins County, just how it was," indicated Verdon Graves, a member of the Historical Society. "If we do nothing else, with our annual festivals, we want to teach people of the many hardships that their forefathers endured while forming our city and county!"

 

 

 

Antique cars, a traditional hayride, and primative artifacts "rounded-out" the experience at Heritage Park and delighted a crowd that certainly left the grounds with a deeper appreciation for pioneer life in Hopkins County!

 

 

 

Seems like the favorite pasttime at Saturday's Indian Summer Days was "eating" all of the good food,
as Bernie Beers attested that it was "mighty good," when he took a break from the activities!

 

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