Post by blackcrowheart on Sept 25, 2006 16:02:41 GMT -5
Heritage Festival a historical gem!
Bill Thornley
Spooner Advocate
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 20th, 2006 10:32:27 AM
Photo by Bill Thornley
A young member of the St. Croix Chippewa T.R.A.I.L.S. (Traditions Respecting American Indian Life Styles) puts on a show for a large, appreciative crowd at the Spooner Heritage Festival.
It began slowly, almost quietly – thump, thump, thump, thump – and people at the Spooner Heritage Festival were almost hypnotically drawn to the sound. Thump, thump, thump, thump … like a heartbeat the Native American drumming continued, soon joined by the singing voices of the drummers.
And in a railroad depot where in 1883 the community called Spooner was born to a different heartbeat, the beat of the iron horse as it rumbled along the silver wire, members of the St. Croix Chippewa T.R.A.I.L.S. Dance Troupe began to whirl and twirl, performing dances that their ancestors probably did long before Spooner was on the frontier map.
T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for Traditions Respecting American Indian Life Styles, and for a festival celebrating our heritage, the Native Americans proved to be a very welcome, important part of the historical puzzle. We were celebrating their heritage as well, and the many people who lined up to watch seemed to realize they were seeing something special, something very much a part of who we are in this region.
Near the Railroad Memories Museum (where they served the finest brats in the North!) banjo music rang out, one of the instruments played by wandering troubadour David Drake who performed his Wisconsin Songs, songs of the Great Lakes, big timber country and rolling prairies.
And there was much, much more music, not the least of which was the great Northern Heritage Fiddle Contest. Local musician Kevin McMullin (who I personally consider one of the most talented people on the globe) helps head up the contest which features fiddlers young and old. And make no mistake, at the Spooner Heritage Festival, there are no violins played … they are fiddles! Same instrument, different attitude. Fiddle music can bring tears to your eyes one moment and have you stomping your feet the next. And that was what happened at the entertaining contest.
For the historical record, winners this year were …
•Senior, 64-up: Thelma Hassman.
•Intermediate, 16-64: 1) Royce Sorensen; 2) Ray Hassman.
•Junior: 1) Kaylee Thornley; 2) Nadia Mataya; 3) Matt Sorensen.
•Championship Division: 1) Sedra Bistodeau (who also happens to be the National Junior Fiddle Champion); 2) Aria Styles; 3) Deana Bistodeau.
McMullin and the kids entertained an appreciative audience with an impromptu and wonderful toe-tapping jam session following the contest.
Fans of great music in the country/western/bluegrass style also were treated to Buffalo Gals and Monroe Crossing. I imagine there are still some local toes tapping even as I write this. It was fantastic. And music, from the Native Americans to the melody of fiddle ringing out into the hills, is very much a part of our heritage.
Music, of course wasn’t the only reason to attend the festival. The Heritage Festival Committee outdid itself this year in planning great events and attractions. A big pat on the back to committee members Jed Malischke, Kevin McMullin, Alene Peterson, Jeanne Chamberlain, Vicki Shaffer, Debbie Koehn, Ruth Skeie, Jean Speaker, Joan Madson, Connie Van Sluys and Jerry Trcka. Job well done and very much appreciated!
What else was there for visitors to enjoy? A trip through the Railroad Memories Museum for one … if you don’t feel the ghosts of Spooner’s historic past in that place, something is wrong. What an attraction. Plus, many enjoyed a ride aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern excursion train, which by the way will be gearing up for the Halloween season soon with the entertaining Pumpkin Train – do NOT miss it.
If it is arts and crafts you enjoy, the Traditional Arts Fair and the Heritage Marketplace was a real treat. And there were some huge entries in the biggest pumpkin contest. More great talent was on display at the Autumnfest Quilt Show, and a few old-timers nodded as their memories were jarred at the old-fashioned and antique tractor show.
There were bubblegum blowing contests, the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, magician Jim Mitchell, Lake Superior Chapter of Safari Club’s wildlife education trailer, a pie baking (and eating) contest, mammoth sunflower contest, the Humane Society booth, great food of all kinds, and the Historical Costume Contest. It was a great time, one not to miss next year.
Bill Thornley
Spooner Advocate
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 20th, 2006 10:32:27 AM
Photo by Bill Thornley
A young member of the St. Croix Chippewa T.R.A.I.L.S. (Traditions Respecting American Indian Life Styles) puts on a show for a large, appreciative crowd at the Spooner Heritage Festival.
It began slowly, almost quietly – thump, thump, thump, thump – and people at the Spooner Heritage Festival were almost hypnotically drawn to the sound. Thump, thump, thump, thump … like a heartbeat the Native American drumming continued, soon joined by the singing voices of the drummers.
And in a railroad depot where in 1883 the community called Spooner was born to a different heartbeat, the beat of the iron horse as it rumbled along the silver wire, members of the St. Croix Chippewa T.R.A.I.L.S. Dance Troupe began to whirl and twirl, performing dances that their ancestors probably did long before Spooner was on the frontier map.
T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for Traditions Respecting American Indian Life Styles, and for a festival celebrating our heritage, the Native Americans proved to be a very welcome, important part of the historical puzzle. We were celebrating their heritage as well, and the many people who lined up to watch seemed to realize they were seeing something special, something very much a part of who we are in this region.
Near the Railroad Memories Museum (where they served the finest brats in the North!) banjo music rang out, one of the instruments played by wandering troubadour David Drake who performed his Wisconsin Songs, songs of the Great Lakes, big timber country and rolling prairies.
And there was much, much more music, not the least of which was the great Northern Heritage Fiddle Contest. Local musician Kevin McMullin (who I personally consider one of the most talented people on the globe) helps head up the contest which features fiddlers young and old. And make no mistake, at the Spooner Heritage Festival, there are no violins played … they are fiddles! Same instrument, different attitude. Fiddle music can bring tears to your eyes one moment and have you stomping your feet the next. And that was what happened at the entertaining contest.
For the historical record, winners this year were …
•Senior, 64-up: Thelma Hassman.
•Intermediate, 16-64: 1) Royce Sorensen; 2) Ray Hassman.
•Junior: 1) Kaylee Thornley; 2) Nadia Mataya; 3) Matt Sorensen.
•Championship Division: 1) Sedra Bistodeau (who also happens to be the National Junior Fiddle Champion); 2) Aria Styles; 3) Deana Bistodeau.
McMullin and the kids entertained an appreciative audience with an impromptu and wonderful toe-tapping jam session following the contest.
Fans of great music in the country/western/bluegrass style also were treated to Buffalo Gals and Monroe Crossing. I imagine there are still some local toes tapping even as I write this. It was fantastic. And music, from the Native Americans to the melody of fiddle ringing out into the hills, is very much a part of our heritage.
Music, of course wasn’t the only reason to attend the festival. The Heritage Festival Committee outdid itself this year in planning great events and attractions. A big pat on the back to committee members Jed Malischke, Kevin McMullin, Alene Peterson, Jeanne Chamberlain, Vicki Shaffer, Debbie Koehn, Ruth Skeie, Jean Speaker, Joan Madson, Connie Van Sluys and Jerry Trcka. Job well done and very much appreciated!
What else was there for visitors to enjoy? A trip through the Railroad Memories Museum for one … if you don’t feel the ghosts of Spooner’s historic past in that place, something is wrong. What an attraction. Plus, many enjoyed a ride aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern excursion train, which by the way will be gearing up for the Halloween season soon with the entertaining Pumpkin Train – do NOT miss it.
If it is arts and crafts you enjoy, the Traditional Arts Fair and the Heritage Marketplace was a real treat. And there were some huge entries in the biggest pumpkin contest. More great talent was on display at the Autumnfest Quilt Show, and a few old-timers nodded as their memories were jarred at the old-fashioned and antique tractor show.
There were bubblegum blowing contests, the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, magician Jim Mitchell, Lake Superior Chapter of Safari Club’s wildlife education trailer, a pie baking (and eating) contest, mammoth sunflower contest, the Humane Society booth, great food of all kinds, and the Historical Costume Contest. It was a great time, one not to miss next year.