Whispers From the Past
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Whispers from the Past
A child learns to grind corn at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
Fishing in the lake at Aldridge Gardens was among the children's activities.
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Whispers from the Past
Kids got the chance to weave their own dreamcatchers at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
Flintknapping, or making arrowheads, was among the demonstrations at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
Vendors had a variety of items for sale, including painted bird houses made out of gourds.
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Whispers from the Past
Children try their hand at pottery.
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Whispers from the Past
Aldridge Gardens volunteers teach children about beadwork.
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Whispers from the Past
A child paints a gourd mask at the craft table of Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
Native American hunting tools, including spears, knives and bows were on display at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
Volunteers painted "tattoos" for children.
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Whispers from the Past
Corn shuck dolls and other Native American toys and tools on display.
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Whispers from the Past
A vendor shows basket-making techniques.
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Whispers from the Past
William Wente makes a wedding bottle out of clay.
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Whispers from the Past
Children could decorate gourd masks at Whispers from the Past.
After a week's delay due to rain, Whispers from the Past still brought crowds to enjoy Native American dancing, crafts, food and culture.
The annual event at Aldridge Gardens had kids activities such as making clay pots, weaving dreamcatchers, fishing, painting gourd masks, grinding corn, beading, storytelling and learning about Native American tools.
Native American dishes such as roasted corn and fry bread were available for sale, as well as burgers and other more typical festival foods. Vendors were set up around the gardens to sell woven baskets, jewelry, arrowheads, dreamcatchers, pottery and more.
The stars of the event, though, were the Medicine Tail Dancers and Singers. The group performs dances from different Native American tribes and tours the U.S., including at previous Whispers events.
Kids at the event got to try out the dances after seeing the dancers perform.
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Whispers from the Past
Alex Alvarez performs at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
A member of the Medicine Tail Singers dances at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
Members of the Medicine Tail Singers wait for their turn to dance.
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Whispers from the Past
The Medicine Tail Singers tour the U.S. performing traditional songs and dances from different tribes.
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Whispers from the Past
Cody Boettner performs at Whispers from the Past.
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Whispers from the Past
The Hoop Dance involves picking up hoops with your feet and using them to make symbols as you dance.
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Whispers from the Past
The Hoop Dance originated among western tribes, but is now used as a show dance by many tribes across the U.S.
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Whispers from the Past
Medicine Tail Singers drum while Cody Boettner performs the hoop dance.
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Children learn to dance with the Medicine Tail Singers.
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Whispers from the Past
Children dance with the Medicine Tail Singers.
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Whispers from the Past
Children dance with the Medicine Tail Singers.
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Whispers from the Past
The audience votes for the best dancers among the children.
One of the new dancers this year was Cody Boettner, who performed a hoop dance that originated among western tribes such as the Navajo and Zuni. The dancer must pick up a number of hoops with his feet and incorporate them into his dance, including creating symbols to tell a story.
Boettner started learning the hoop dance at 5 years old, starting out with five hoops. He has performed at previous dance shows with his father, but Whispers from the Past was his first show with the Medicine Tail group. He said he enjoyed the "very energetic crowd."
While he dances on the weekends, Boettner is a student at Florida State University and returns there during the week. It's a challenge for him to balance both, but touring with the Medicine Tail Dancers and Singers is fun and helps him pay for school.
"It is definitely tough, but this is what I love to do," Boettner said.
