Pow wow, heritage days, bridge walk this weekend

HART — Take a trip back in time during the 22nd Annual Honoring our Elders Traditional Pow-Wow at the Oceana County Fairgrounds and the Heritage Days Festival at the Hart Historic District this weekend.

On Labor Day, participate in the Hart Healthy 5K and Bridge Walk.

The Honoring our Elders Traditional Pow-Wow is set for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to dusk. Enjoy a traditional Native American festival with traders, dancers, music, drumming, storytelling, arts and crafts,  food and more. There will be multiple items raffled Sunday with a 50/50 raffle both days. Bring lawn chairs to watch the Grand Entry dancing Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Flags will be retired at 8 p.m. Admission is free. This an alcohol-free and drug-free event. No pets are allowed.

Traders and volunteers are needed. Contact Patsy Beatty 231-894-8361 or missbeatty@hotmail.com with subject line: Hart Pow Wow. Traders set up Friday after 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed for set-up and take down.

The Heritage Days Celebration coincides with the pow-wow. Heritage Days features arts and crafts, flea market, kids’ games, live music and other entertainment and activities.There is a pig roast dinner Sunday. All buildings and displays will be open for touring.

The community of Hart was founded by early pioneers in 1856. A saw mill and grist mill were built in 1862, and Hart became the Oceana County seat in 1865. Travel back in time visiting these historical 19th Century buildings and attractions in the Hart Historic District. See how our pioneers lived by touring a restored 19th century church, one-room schoolhouse, log cabin and Chief Cobmoosa’s house. Tour the original grist and flour mills and a windmill. In the mill, watch the animated doll display in action. The church basement houses the extensive and unique “Seymour Rider Indian Artifacts Collection” —  a must-see for antique Indian artifact and history buffs.

The Hart Healthy 5K and Bridge Walk includes three events Monday: the Youth Fun Run, beginning at 8 a.m.; the Hart Healthy 5K starting at 8:30 a.m.; and the Bridge Walk beginning at 8:45 a.m.

The race starts on State Street, and registration at the Hart Commons begins at 6:30 a.m. The 5K has a fee, but the Bridge Walk is free unless you want an event t-shirt for $10. Medals wlll be awarded in each division for the two runs, and the top female and male 5K racers will be awarded trophies. This is a fundraiser for the Hart Main Street, an initiative to rebuild the Hart downtown area.

Go to goracego to register.