Iroquois Village part of State Fair’s appeal
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Kenneth Thompson, Vice-President of the Six Nations Agriculture Society, is Akwesasne’s representation at the New York State Fair’s Iroquois Village. Any Akwesasronon needing assistance or questions answered can seek him out and he’ll be happy to help.
Thousands of people from in and around the state of New York will travel to Syracuse in droves next week to attend the New York State Fair. Along with plenty of rides, concerts, games, food and entertainment, the fair also boasts an attraction that has been growing and improving for 85 years: the Iroquois Village.
The village, inside the fairgrounds, is the main attraction for many who attend the fair, including hundreds of Haudenosaunee who will go specifically on “Indian Day” to enjoy free admission. The Iroquois Village is the fair’s central hub for all things Iroquois, including shows, art competitions, smoke dance competitions, traditional Iroquois food and mingling with Iroquois friends from around the state. One year, a crew from Canada attended the fair to build a canoe, from start to finish. Currently the village is looking at building another replica longhouse.
Kenneth Thompson of Akwesasne has been a part of the IroquoisVillage’s organization for more than twenty years and he is currently the Six Nations Agriculture Society’s vice president. The SNAS is responsible for the Iroquois Village.
“Every Nation is proud to have their own people come down to the fair every year,” said Thompson. “It’s nice to see everybody. I look forward to it every year.”
The SNAS consists of members from all Iroquois nations and each year a “princess” is selected to represent her Nation. This year is the Akwesasne Mohawks turn and Hattie Edwards will be representing the community throughout the 10-day state fair.
Thompson would like to remind all Natives attending on Native American Day to arrive early in order to park at the IroquoisVillage.
Thompson is always happy to assist the guests of Iroquois Village, by answering questions, sending them in the right direction, or even by lending use of his camper for anyone exhausted from the heat.
“I’ll let anybody, just ask,” he said.
The New York State Fair runs from August 26-Sept. 6. Native American Day is Friday, Sept. 3 and there will be a number of scheduled events at the village that day.
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