With falling leaves comes annual Shawnee Indian Mission festival this weekend

The annual fall festival at the Shawnee Indian Mission kicks off its 26th year tomorrow with its usual array of crafts, food and entertainment. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

The entertainment highlights include Native American flute classes from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday; the play ‘Citizens of our Cemetery’ will be presented at 1 and 3:15 p.m. on Saturday; and a campfire, music and storytelling at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The craftsmen, including a blacksmith, spinners, and weavers, will be back along with pony rides, musicians and lots of food. Handmade crafts will be for sale as well.

The Shawnee Indian Mission, at Mission and 53rd in Fairway, is a state historic site and a national historic landmark. The mission is one of 16 state historic sites operated by the Kansas Historical Society.

The society describes its history:

“In the 19th century, Americans wanted more land and settlement moved west. For countless Indians, the American thrust for land meant the end of their traditional way of life. The Shawnee Mission was one of many missions established as a manual training school attended by boys and girls from Shawnee, Delaware, and other Indian nations from 1839 to 1862.”

Festival-goers who visit the 12-acre site this weekend can also see living history re-enactments with mountain men and American Indian dancers.

There is no admission charge at the festival.