Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area will host its annual Native American Festival this weekend in Elizabethton.

This two-day festival will feature traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, traditional Cherokee song and dance, Cherokee storytelling and legends, Native American flute, craft demonstrations, and much more.

In addition, several individuals will present a variety of educational talks and performances, including Greeneville resident Daniel Bigay, who will play Native American flute music.

Activities will be held Saturday, from at 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Admission is $4 adults and $1 children.

Most activities will be held at Fort Watauga, unless it rains. In the event of rain, the show will relocate to the Visitors Center.

The Saturday evening program will be held in the Visitors Center Theater; however, the campfire will take place near the picnic shelters.

Dr. Michael Abram, of the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery, in Cherokee, NC, will provide a glimpse into Cherokee history and legend.

He will present "Cherokee Beliefs about Frogs" on Saturday at 11 a.m. and on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. In addition, he will talk about "Cherokee Gambling through the Ages" on Saturday at 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the theater of the Visitors Center, Dr. Abram will also present a lecture on "Cherokee Views of the Night Sky: Stars, Constellations, and the Moon."

On Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m. a traditional campfire program will be presented by Mark and Sherry Finchum, of Jefferson City. The Finchums will also present the program, "Indian Givers," on Saturday afternoon, in the fort.

Vicki and Dale Standingdeer, of Cherokee, N.C., will direct the traditional Cherokee dancing and music at the event. Mighty Good Drum will provide the drum and singers. Performances will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Featured Cherokee traditional storyteller will be Freeman Owle, of Cherokee, N.C., who will also be demonstrating the carving of Cherokee stone pipes along with other stone carvings. He is a noted lecturer, historian, and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

Owle's storytelling performances will be at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and at 12:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Daniel Bigay, of Greeneville, will entertain with traditional flute music in addition to having his handmade, traditional Cherokee style flutes for sale. Bigay is a flute maker, artist, performer and recording Artist, and demonstrator.

He will perform at the festival on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and on Sunday at noon and 3:30 p.m.

For more information, go online at www.sycamoreshoals.org or call the park's office at 423/543-5808.

Sycamore Shoals is located at 1651 W. Elk Ave., in Elizabethton.