Regan Davis

NEWS RELEASE

March 30, 2020 Contact Information:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stone Mountain Park
Website: https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Office: (xxx)-xxx-xxx
Email: ​SMP@company.com

THE LARGEST NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL AND POW-WOW IN GEORGIA

20th Annual Festival and Pow-Wow

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – During November 5-8, Stone Mountain Park will be hosting its
20th Annual Native American Festival and Pow-Wow. Each year thousands of guests participate
in what is known to be the largest Native American gathering in Georgia. This event features
tribes from across the country and Central America. This year's event showcases Native
American culture through dance, music, authentic craft demonstrations, cooking traditions,
storytelling, wildlife presentations and more.

“It is important for us to understand other people's culture,” said Jessica, a yearly attendee of the
event, “It was especially insightful for my children, and they had an amazing experience.”

The Native American Festival and Pow-Wow is a four-day event hosted at the Historic Square.
Festivities for Thursday and Friday last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6p.m. and
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-more-
There will be primitive skilled educators demonstrating fire making, basket weaving, hide
tanning, cooking and more. Native arts and crafts will also be available for purchase each day
during the event.

“We love coming to this event every year because it helps us feel more connected to our Native
American culture,” said Jacob, a guest from last year's festival.

The highlights of the weekend are often the inter-tribal dance and drum competitions, starting at
1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Dancers and drummers must compete on both Saturday and
Sunday to be eligible for prizes. Cash prizes will be awarded in a large variety of categories for
men, women and children. Registration to participate is free and early arrival is suggested for
both days.

The Native American Festival and Pow-Wow is free to mountain members or included in an
all-attractions pass ticket. Vehicle entry to the park is $20 for a one-day or $40 for an annual
permit.

For more information:

https://www.stonemountainpark.com/Events/Native-American-Festival-and-Pow-Wow

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Stone Mountain Park is one of Georgia's most popular attractions and includes a numerous amount of
activities for families to do. This park is located on 32,000 acres of nature filled landscapes and a variety
of animals, insects, reptiles and birds. There are many family-friendly attractions and a host
annual festivals and events happen all year-round.
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Website: ​https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Office: (xxx)-xxx-xxx
Email: SMP@company.com

BACKGROUNDER

Stone Mountain Park was purchased by the Venable Brothers in 1887. They had ownership of
the property until it was purchased by the state of Georgia in 1958. The state of Georgia brought
Stone Mountain Park as a memorial to the Confederacy. Although the park was being used since
the early 1800’s, it was officially opened on April 14, 1965.

Stone Mountain Park is home to the world's largest piece of exposed granite. On June 23, 1923,
constructions for the Confederate Memorial Carving began. The carving features three
Confederate activists of the Civil War: President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and
General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The construction of the carving was finished on March
3, 1972.

Today, Stone Mountain Park is one of Georgia's most popular attractions and includes a
numerous amount of activities for families to do. The park is located on 32,000 acres of
nature-filled areas and a variety of animals, insects, reptiles and birds. There are many
family-friendly attractions and a host of annual festivals and events happen all year-round. Some
of these events are Spring FUN Break, Summer at the Rock, Yellow Daisy Festival, Native
American Festival and Pow-Wow, Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain.

Contact:
Regan Davis
Telephone: 000-000-0000
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Website: https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Office: (xxx)-xxx-xxx
Email: SMP@company.com

THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE

BIOGRAPHY

During the 16th century the first contact between Native Americans and European explorers had
transpired. Before the Europeans arrived in North America, the Native American people had
been around for hundreds of years and had developed their own form of communities and culture
with a wide range of languages, customs, and civilizations. They were located from coast to
coast all over North America, consisting of many different tribes.

Unfortunately, after the Europeans arrived, it caused a major decline in the Native American
population. Not only did the Europeans take land and hunting grounds away from them, they
also caused an outbreak of multiple diseases that killed thousands. In addition, many Native
Americans were forced into changing their cultural beliefs and converting to the Europeans way
of living.

Within time, the Native American population began to increase again. Today there are over five
million Native Americans located in the United States. They are keeping their culture alive by
taking leadership roles in the government, creating knowledgeable programs and arranging
festivals and Pow-Wows annually.
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Website: https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Office: (xxx)-xxx-xxx
Email: SMP@company.com

POW-WOW & NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE

FACT SHEET

● An estimated 90% of Native Americans attend Pow-Wows.

● There are many Native American tribes that are still present today. Georgia tribes include
Apalachee, Choctaw, Cherokee, Hitchiti, Oconee, Miccosukee, Muskogee
Creek, Timucua, Yamasee, Guale and the Yucci.

● Stone Mountains Native American Festival & Pow-Wow was named a top 20 event by
the Southeast Tourism Society.

● More than 20,000 people attend Stone Mountain Parks Native American Festival and
Pow-Wow each year, which is a major increase from the couple of hundred that they
started with in 2000.

● Stone Mountain Parks Native American Festival and Pow-Wow is the largest Native
American gathering in Georgia.

● Pow-Wows are said to be one of the main ways that Native Americans carry on older
traditions and preserve the rich heritage of Native American culture.

● Psychology Today​ suggests that a great way to share cultures is through cultural festivals
because not only does it teach you about the culture, but it also helps to build
relationships that will contribute to developing a better understanding of the people.