Vendors sought for Lenape celebration

Vernon — The Vernon Township Historical Society is seeking food concessions, vendors and artisans for its Fifth Annual Black Creek Site Celebration and Pow Wow with the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians of New Jersey and the Ramapough Lenape Nation. The event will be held on Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maple Grange Park. Vendors can download a form at www.vernonhistoricalsociety.com or call 973-764-6545. More than 2,000 people attended last year’s event. This year’s celebration will feature continuous American Indian dancing and regalia, historic presentations by Lenape Lifeways, jewelry making, arts and crafts, storytelling, free guided tours of the archaeological site, live wolves and other animal presentations, archaeological artifact displays, food and merchandise vendors, children’s crafts and games and entertainment for all ages. The highlight of the event will be the Lenape drum and dance in full regalia. There is a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Children under 5 are admitted free. Parking is free and onsite. The fee for non-profit vendors is $15. All others are $25. The Black Creek Site is located on Maple Grange Road in Vernon and is adjacent to the Maple Grange Community Park. The site is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places and is considered one of the most significant prehistoric American Indian sites in the state. It is one of only four American Indian sites listed on the New Jersey Register.