National Park Service Seeks Demonstrators and Vendors for New Heritage Festival

Date: August 25, 2010

The National Park Service is seeking individuals and groups to participate in the first Duneland Heritage Days at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on September 18 – 19.

This event will take visitors on a 10,000 year journey of land use and human heritage in the Indiana dunes. Starting with the earliest native peoples who hunted and lived off the land, moving through the farming and agricultural era to the last 100 years of urbanization, industry, and the conservation movement that resulted in the creation of the national lakeshore.

Festival planners are looking for individuals and organizations that can provide theme-related demonstrations, crafts, ethnic foods, music, artwork, and exhibits that relate to the area’s heritage of American Indians and early settlers, agricultural and farming practices, urbanization, industry, and the conservation movement. The event will take place at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm this September 18 and 19, from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

To participate, potential demonstrators or vendors need to complete an application. Selection of participants will be based on the information provided in the application. All demonstrations, foods, and exhibits must show their connection to the heritage of Indiana dunes in order to be included in this event. Space is limited. Applications are available by calling Cliff Goins at 219-395-1865. Application must be received no later than August 2, 2010. Selected applicants will be notified by August 16 and those groups who selling items will then also be required to complete a Commercial Use Authorization application that requires a $50 application fee as well as proof of insurance and possible performance bond.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is one of 392 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore includes 15 miles of the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan and 15,000 acres of beach, woods, marshes, and prairie in the northwest corner of Indiana. More than 2 million visitors come to this national park each year. More information can be found at www.nps.gov/indu.