The Dallas County Conservation Board will be hosting a big festival today.

The Prairie Awakening, Prairie Awoke Celebration is at the Kuehn Conservation Area, 32849 Houston Avenue, in Earlham. Naturalist Mike Havlick acknowledges the event originated in 1998 by Native Americans who came in contact with the Conservation Board as they were doing land restoration projects to plant prairie. He notes that the Native Americans expressed that prairies can’t just be planted, but “awaken,” and the way to do that was through dance, song, and telling stories. 

Conservation Outreach Coordinator Jeni Baker shares that a big part of the festival is with Dallas Chief Eagle, who is a World Champion Hoop Dancer, and this year he’s bringing his daughter Jasmine. Baker says she’s moved to tears each time she’s gone to the festival.

“It’s kind of emotional if you’ve never been there before. It draws you in, (and) it opens your eyes that you’ve never seen. There’s all kinds of games, demonstrations, dancing, music, food, and so much more going on. So, it’s not just sitting there watching them do stuff, it gets you off your chair, it’s pretty interesting to see if you’ve never seen it before.”

In addition, Baker details there will be kids activities, grinding corn, a flute concert with Mike HeCrow, and campfire stories with Dallas Chief Eagle. She mentions that alcoholic beverages are prohibited and the festival is free to enter. The celebration is happening from 10am-7pm.