Festival of Nations focuses on Indians

The Festival of Nations multicultural event in Cascade Locks reframes its focus for an even wider appeal

By Amanda WaldroupeAfter a one-year hiatus, the Festival of Nations, an annual multicultural festival in Cascade Locks, returns this month with a new mission and focus that organizers hope will appeal to larger numbers of people.

The Festival of Nations is scheduled for Friday through Sunday at the Port of Cascade Locks Marine Park. The theme, "A Gathering at the River," will celebrate the culture and heritage of the Native American communities that populated the Cascade Locks area. There will be free entertainment, food, music and interactive exhibits teaching festivalgoers how to make moccasins, buckskins, drums, baskets and fish nets.

The new focus for the festival will be on awareness about salmon and river restoration. Event coordinator Rebecca Gandy says that was chosen as the central theme because of the fish's importance to not only Native Americans, but to all people living in the Cascade Locks region.Comment:  For more on Natives and festivals, see Miwok Village in Amador County Fair and The Paiute-Burning Man Relationship.