Wabanaki Days Celebration

For one week in late July, the Pemaquid Peninsula was immersed in a celebration of the Wabanaki -- the native Americans who visited the area each summer to fish. Dozens of events were held throughout the area, including the staging of the Grand Design, depicting the struggles of 200 people from Northern Ireland who left Derry in 1741, bound for Philadelphia. Battered by hurricane, wrecked on a desolate island and abandoned by their captain, some had the strength and courage to survive through the winter.

Wabanaki Days grew out of an annual event held at Pemaquid Beach Park. Dubbed the "Native American Recognition Dinner", the day-long celebration featured a potluck dinner made up of foods that the Wabanaki would have dined on during their visits, as well as music and storytelling.

Bristol Parks was honored to participate in the first-ever Wabanaki Days, by hosting a number of events at our parks. Given the success of this year's celebration, we're sure it will return in 2009. We'll keep you posted.