Great Miami River Days Festival

This article is about the 2009 Great Miami River Days and The Gathering by the River. Published in the Country Anglin’ newspaper - thanks to Mark Fritsch and Brian Younce, Sharon Combs is the author.

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The Gathering by the River

The mission statement of The Great Miami River Days is to create a regional celebration to encourage visitors to better appreciate the Great Miami River by getting to know it better, and be more involved in protecting it as a quality water area for fishing, boating, and preserving wildlife. Some things to be enjoyed at this year’s event are the Badgerland Water Ski Team and Typhoon Tommy and his Jet Ski tricks. Educational games and activities will be provided.

The mission statement of the Miami Valley 1700 – 1865 Reenactors Company is: Providing the Miami Valley Communities opportunities to experience and learn about the blending of their cultural and historical heritages through living history events with respect to all people and children. This group is established to teach and expose the public to the history of The Miami Valley. We will provide living history events where the public may interact and learn about their local history with our company of living reenactors who live, dress, work and entertain in the historical eras we portray. Special emphasis will also be on children activities to provide an entertaining and educational experience.

On September 12 and 13, 2009, on the grounds of Miami University in Hamilton, Ohio, Miami Valley 1700-1865 Reenactors along with members of the Campbell County Heritage Association, Grassy Run Heritage, Heathen Highlanders and honored guests such as a Shawnee traditional potter, and Native drum and dancing demonstrators will gather together for a celebration of the Miami Valley people. You are invited to bring the whole family to enjoy participating in activities like sampling stew cooked in a Dutch oven by Sue Krebs and Ruanne Wilks over an open fire; throwing a tomahawk with Paul Wannamacher; dancing native dances with the drum and fancy dressed dancers, hear tales of early Ohio adventures, and do some flintknapping with Bill Combs (B Bear). This living history camp will be a combination of the Rendezvous and Eastern Woodland Gathering or Pow Wow.

The word rendezvous in 1825 meant a gathering of trappers, women and children, Indians, French Canadians, and travelers. The festivities was a scene of "mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that trappers or Indians could invent." These people came together to exchange trade items, gather supplies and to share news.

The word Pow Wow originally comes from the Algonquin language. It is a time to join in singing, dancing, visiting, and the sharing of talents and crafts. Also it is a time to remember and preserve the rich heritage of traditions and beliefs of native people. In the late 1800's and early 1900's American Indians were not allowed to have dances due to the government thinking the dances were organized to resist federal forces. A Pow Wow brings the circle of people closer to friends, family, and culture. It is a giant family reunion where people can get together to celebrate and display culture through living history and public participation. East of the Mississippi River, we like to call the pow wow an Eastern Woodland Gathering.

Last year at Great Miami River Days, the Ohio 5th Light Artillery Unit of the Civil War had several battles with the Natives who lived along the Miami River during the 1800s. Cannons fired at the natives while the flintlocks were returning fire. Earlier the White Oak Drum provided music for the inter-tribal native dancers and public for the Gathering. Scott Bidwell was blacksmithing; Kosia Oshiro selling her traditional Shawnee pit fired beads and popcorn pots. The 2000 pound Texas longhorn Chili was letting anyone who wanted sit on his back for their photo. Sunflower played her native flutes while sitting near her full size Tee Pee. John Milligan had his trader’s camp filled with handmade leather bags, purses and drums. Telling stories, Debbie and Randy Bales were surprising listeners with unheard of tales of the 1700’s. Charleen Stipe was making homemade soap; Norman Woods carved hats from wood; Donna Taggart and Susan Tielson ran a homespun camp selling many necessities of the times. If you want to see a woven belt made with an Inkle loom, stop to watch at Gary and Debbie Miner’s camp.

Ever made a dugout canoe? Sarah Wilks and Sharon Combs have been burning one out this year and we need you to bring your family and help us to complete it. Maybe you want to see how to do peyote stitch beadwork, ask Ron Stambough who shows his talents.

For mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolicking and learning about your Great Miami River, please come this year and enjoy. Be sure to visit the Izaak Walton League of America, the defenders of soil, air, woods, waters and wildlife. The League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country's natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans.

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