Wednesday, July 19, 2006
For Release Upon Receipt

53rd Annual Nipmuc Native American Fair Returns To Grafton Sunday, July 30th

GRAFTON - One of Grafton's most popular summer tourism events, the Native American Indian Fair, will be held on Sunday, July 30th at the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Reservation at 80 Brigham Hill Road in Grafton. This year marks the 53rd edition of the Nipmuc Nation™s one day public showcase event. Gates to the Fair open to the public at 10:00 AM.

Nipmuc Nation Chief Walter Vickers will again preside over the day's events, including the Calumet Pipe Ceremony which gives thanks to the four winds, Mother Earth and the Great Spirit. Bruce Curliss of the Nipmuc Nation Tribal Council will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Everyone joins in at a Community Dance at the Nipmuc Nation Native American Fair in Grafton. The 53rd Annual Fair Will Be Held on Sunday, July 30th at the Hassanamesit Nipmuc Reservation on Brigham Hill Road in Grafton from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Nipmuc Fair features Native American food, music and several ceremonials / dances, including a naming ceremony, a welcome dance, drum ceremony, snake dance, and an old age dance with dancers and natives dressed in colorful, traditional Native American regalia. The Opening Ceremonies, featuring the Grand Entry, begin at 2:00 PM. The fair concludes at 4:00 PM. Numerous Native American crafts and toys, jewelry, and garments will be displayed by exhibitors. Admission is by donation: $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for children. No pets or alcohol please.

Parking is available at the Grafton Lions Club Park on Brigham Hill Road. Courtesy shuttle transportation to and from the Reservation grounds will be provided by Nipmuc Nation Transportation Services. Overflow parking, if necessary, will be available at the Grafton Municipal Center with shuttle transportation provided to the Reservation grounds.

The Hassanamesit Nipmuc Reservation is Four and 1/2 acres on Brigham Hill Road near Lake Ripple in Grafton that were set aside in 1728 by the forty proprietors who purchased the Praying Indian Town of Hassanamesit. The property has been continuously owned by members of the Nipmuc Nation since that time.

For additional information about the Nipmuc Nation™s 53rd Annual Native American Fair, contact Chief Natachaman Walter Vickers at 508-393-8860 and visit the Nipmuc Nation web site at http://www.nipmucnation.org.

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Directions from Massachusetts Turnpike Exit 11 to Nipmuc Nation Native American Fair, 80 Brigham Hill Road, Grafton, Massachusetts:

At the end of the Exit Ramp at Turnpike Exit 11 turn RIGHT onto State Route 122. Go two miles to traffic lights at interaction of Routes 122 and 140. Head SOUTH under the Massachusetts Turnpike and past Stop and Shop to Lake Ripple (3.3 miles from Exit 11) Bear RIGHT onto Route 122 past the new Grfaton Police Station on the right. Turn immediately RIGHT onto Brigham Hill Road. The Grafton Lion's Club Parking Facility is approximately 1/3 mile up the road on the Right.

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The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.