On Saturday, Sept. 18, Town Creek Indian Mound will host its annual Heritage Festival.

As in years past, the festival will provide a traditional powwow atmosphere to the public, at a site used as ceremonial grounds for the Pee Dee culture nearly a thousand years ago. Ric Bird, professionally known as "Ric Youngblood" in the wrestling arena, will return again this year as the master of ceremonies.

Admittance to the event will be at 11 a.m., with grand entry beginning at noon, in front of the mound. This sacred ceremony, during which the dancers line up according to dance style and age, with soldiers or veterans of war leading, opens the day's festivities.

American Indian dancers will be dressed in colorful, traditional regalia and be accompanied by drumming and singing from the head drum group Bird Chopper, a Cherokee drum and dance group based out of Cherokee. Ric Bird leads this group with many years of experience in performing at powwows throughout the country.

Vendors offering a wide variety of native arts and crafts, as well as foods, will be on hand during the festival program. Native crafts, many handmade, will include such items as baskets, bags and clothing, in addition to jewelry made from beads, copper and feathers.

The admission fees are $4 for adults, $1 for children ages 4-13, and 3 and under free. No rain date is scheduled. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.

"Volunteers are always welcome, so anyone interested in helping out should contact the site at (910) 439-6802," says a spokesman.

The historic site is located on Town Creek Mound Road approximately five miles east of Mt. Gilead, in southern Montgomery County between N.C. 73 and N.C. 731. For more information on Town Creek, visit www.towncreek.nchistoricsites.org.