Celebrate Indigenous Heritage in Macon, GA
Macon, Georgia is home to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park: A historical indigenous site with over 17,000 years of history.
![Indigenous Heritage month Blog header](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/BlogOcmulgee_1f43dcc3-f2c7-41b5-8f09-a2225aee55f1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=dc0894a34596e1fab63334c5ca01753b 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/BlogOcmulgee_1f43dcc3-f2c7-41b5-8f09-a2225aee55f1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=d7180826eaca3cfd6f57ea3f54db62ec 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/BlogOcmulgee_1f43dcc3-f2c7-41b5-8f09-a2225aee55f1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=3ae91f5567130abe0d10b477b38987b0 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/BlogOcmulgee_1f43dcc3-f2c7-41b5-8f09-a2225aee55f1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=4302cf3d25821fa871b3b0951c9bb025 810w)
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-blue.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=34a4252ea4f4f0c8e76f9de8a3515cf8 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-blue.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=dcd32a6007ab5923f3055fbbb6d7d74d 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-blue.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=bd07530ba46c7f8b6f4f72982d56a1f5 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-blue.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=0777a6c7e6523a986985ca46e8070721 791w)
Information in this blog on events was contributed to by the Ocmulgee Mounds Association, Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative and Fire Starters Film Festival founders. Any historical information was gathered through articles that are hyperlinked in the text below.
For over thirty years, the Ocmuglee Indigenous Celebration has been held annually at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, with even a record of a gathering before its annual status that dates back to 1952. Since its inception, the celebration has had many names, and even the park itself was known as the Ocmulgee National Monument. As time marches on, there is now positive change to accurately tell the history and honor the thriving current culture of those who presently call the area their homeland. The distinct change within the two-day celebration's cultural demonstrations is one such example of these efforts. With an emphasis on education, traditions will be showcased that reflect the southeastern tribes that have deep roots to the region. Additionally, there is the potential for the Ocmulgee Mounds to become the nation's next National Park. Here's a quick look at what this means for the descendants of the area.
In the 18th century, this area was made up of around 60 villages and formed the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. With the Indian Removal Act of 1832, the Muscogee Nation forcibly relocated in 1836 to Oklahoma, to the region now known and recognized as their capital, Okmulgee. The Muscogee Nation are the descendants of the Mississippian people who constructed the earthen mounds thousands of years ago, seven of which have been preserved at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Macon. The park has preserved not only many of the mounds but over 2,000 artifacts have also been retrieved.
The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative is working to protect even more land along the Ocmulgee Corridor for conservation efforts and for the sacred relationship between the land and the Muscogee Nation. The park's boundaries today are made of roughly 2,000 acres, but the proposed national park status could add over 50,000 acres and stretch to include the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refugee. Another major part of the designation is the park would be co-managed by the Muscogee Nation, making it one of the first in the country to be co-operated by an indigenous tribe.
To continue to ramp up support for the upcoming possible park designation, at this year's celebration there's more to do than ever leading up to the two-day annual event so let us be your guide through the busy calendar of cultural events!
Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration • September 16- 17, 2023
![People dancing at Ocmulgee celebration](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=87446fdf51fbd2cb5a68ac0361b794e0 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=9cafcf8defb372d767ec216dad1b06e4 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=9e1abd99386884221df956ca337c828a 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=fc01969d15dfdf2713975d460b38cd8e 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=38632ddcc23c9b8ad014ad40ee3df4a7 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=af54a0aafafc848f1397376b37764aaf 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6911_jpeg_93aa5450-c5e3-4bad-abc3-75028b3248b3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=cc29729e65104bd88b1567187065568f 1920w)
![Ocmulgee celebration with five people dressed up for the celebration](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=21319f71c46897c14ae82fae8565469e 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=a8957734717bbc1f6ecc92b17f6958b7 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=002630d71d83bec4217ae032a10f8507 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=c798f3bf617a6ee1e2e2d791fd4c7916 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=81aed5536a726d8c23f61df3541b0f45 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=d7b2a1a61576a3cb337de7e5360d18eb 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee-celebration-OIC_2022_Stephen_Cook_65_9ea7e05b-be1a-4c5b-9cbf-291c6f5bffb4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=91b3d4bf5c5e2bb15caf0789136b080d 1920w)
![Ocmulgee celebration](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=322a1d25a7766806d03ea7c38796962d 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=643ea7e23f38ce9d0aa2e022ca7647cf 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=9f4b4d893469d567b3a0bad593dcd09b 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=543b633111fb0c943e10c6d2d169a7c4 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=9f4079b153b61f6828201e67de3db7e7 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=db592e617357f1998612e42e7449b04b 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6888_jpeg_b5360a22-9232-4a83-b7f0-6df39fddd50a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=3816dc5732ec8c0467fb021cea5ac5af 1920w)
![People enjoying the Ocmulgee celebration](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=774126197b28fe373cead9f32a86b5be 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=321309aa0678bd6e7df664ca3a47697d 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=638b8fed99b818476647dd330dbbe49d 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=447322fc09f6844f783b828949b68d3e 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=9e4427cf9e79859384f1694a65dcca26 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=96c69c7c7a72ffb338d5e525eee70ae8 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6923_jpeg_40163291-765d-4b6e-8445-30ea84d4837a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=3ef7c44c88e48270da6d8c77e6db5ba8 1920w)
![people enjoying activities at the Ocmulgee celebration](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=0b6e2d3fc88952caec9a20442b65c0ca 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=f3e69a3fbe413bfa5ea1c5ca3e2f9d8c 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=0b769e7ab49dd1b2bb0361632a4e0210 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=25c500f74d266709b943954117b3be7b 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=8b68ffe2805a22a1b1b2ae75ee0c17f7 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=d5d304995a981a08ea8500a7e79e41c2 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6925_jpeg_b28805d8-1fa4-4dc7-a722-ae0308a87727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=97a551fcbfa343e52b452ac62fc0686a 1920w)
![A woman and baby at a food truck](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=e7f698f30bb38844d46834e9ee9a6626 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=369e08572d1dfff3fe179b4173e366c7 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=d8d75ba658e2205254b09b7304b491a7 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=c747a769d116bb937069dd5c9a799c3b 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=378afa177f92ab27acc37845a5b16d96 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=ae6a01035229f7024af012a5a2a5815f 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6913_jpeg_5259744e-dc8a-489b-962c-225ef04e7470.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=180977bf838dea6e477223b153560e65 1920w)
![Hand woven baskets on a table](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=d75f43befe90b033df80ef2539cf57e2 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=da01e3825af959aedfd4506436e099ee 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=4e1dfdad694e6053639bd57c37730e65 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=2546d7d56507ca3e4b49aac1076b950d 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=29b21648c8cf5f6b9987a9195c1c9812 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=fbf0638921a47da0046080e3884312a4 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_celebration_031_3_6871_jpeg_c5736189-863b-4196-be81-8311701574db.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=807d2093ff4c4d62492d055e942eadad 1920w)
From September 16th to the 17th, catch educational demonstrations depicting storytelling, art, music, and dance featuring different Southeastern Native American tribes. These demonstrations start at 10 AM and continue through 5 PM each day. There will be a kid-center crafts area and the park will open to explore the historic mounds that are interlaced with lush forests and wetlands!
Find an FAQ on important updates for this year's Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration below!
Where should I park?
All Parking will be at the old Macon-Bibb Health Department located at 171 Emery Highway, Macon, GA, 31217
Will there be shuttle services available?
Yes! A free, handicap-accessible shuttle will take you right to the event gate. Please go to the parking lot at the old Macon-Bibb Health Department located at 171 Emery Hwy, Macon, GA 31217, to ride the shuttle to the park.
Is this a kid-friendly event?
Yes! Families are encouraged to learn about the culture of the indigenous communities and the historic site! There will be pottery classes for kids to participate in as well!
How much is admission?
Admission is FREE this year! This is the perfect event to bring the whole family!
Can I use an alternative to an automobile or the shuttles to gain entrance to the park?
There will be an option to enter the back gate entrance of the park only by bicycle. Bike Walk Macon will host a group ride from downtown to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
Fire Starters Festival complements the power of the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration but is in the heart of downtown Macon creating a place to contemplate contemporary culture in the Muscogee (Creek) homelands. This year’s inaugural festival includes stunning visual artists, powerful filmmakers, and the Ignite the Night concert featuring the Indigo Girls to benefit Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative.
![](https://maconga.s3.amazonaws.com/images/blogs/FancyDance_c19e04ee-962f-4811-9fc7-4565312d9259.jpg?v=1695341358)
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FIND THE FULL SCHEDULE OF FILM SCREENINGS AND DESCRIPTIONS AND HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
Feature Film Screenings:
- Bad Press (Documentary Feature)
- Shorts Block
- DEAD BIRD HEARTS (Narrative Short)
- THE JOURNEY OF TIAK HIKIYA OHOYO (Documentary Short)
- FANCY DANCE (Narrative Feature)
- THIS MAY BE THE LAST TIME (Documentary Feature)
![Ocmulgee to Okmulgee by McEachern Arts Center](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_to_okmulgee_668f5c77-dc48-4ccc-836b-7be056354373.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e1b2c8f9164314a3973bee88e76619b0 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_to_okmulgee_668f5c77-dc48-4ccc-836b-7be056354373.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=68a28ce74a54ac6d432bf90d56b82da8 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_to_okmulgee_668f5c77-dc48-4ccc-836b-7be056354373.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d75f146ed6f6c1f0d46e691a5f78e17b 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_to_okmulgee_668f5c77-dc48-4ccc-836b-7be056354373.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4e9cd57d6ad30f4ca0bc44ff659d1b9c 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_to_okmulgee_668f5c77-dc48-4ccc-836b-7be056354373.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=387892ffd58b0a8304ec1be480c4e07c 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ocmulgee_to_okmulgee_668f5c77-dc48-4ccc-836b-7be056354373.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e327a5d6462ad548dec5a1d05214e507 1325w)
Ocmulgee to Okmulgee
September 14, 2023 (Opening Artist Talk and Reception) at 5:00 PM
The exhibition will run through November 18th / Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday 4-8 PM
An exhibition presented by McEachern Art Center featuring Randy Kemp (Euchee/Muscogee/Choctaw) and Bobby C. Martin (Muscogee)
A look behind the lands, stories, and peoples that come from the flowing waters of the Ocmulgee to today’s Muscogee traditions, towns, and governments. Randy Kemp is a multidisciplinary artist whose body of work includes painting, printmaking, mixed media, installation, music, and performance. His work includes both traditional tribal life and contemporary works concerning American Indian issues, themes, and views. Bobby C. Martin is an artist/educator/facilitator who works out of his Martin Mountain Studio near West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. His work began with family photographs, which have turned into countless re-imaginings as monumental paintings or tiny etchings, as drawings or installations and video projects.
![Ignite the Night with the Indigo Girls on September 16 2023](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=477d9cadc2d200a0546ac7713d5b17e3 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=15ae93d73f2d563a619a11cae28e00ec 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=70afa269721206d6dedfb3db09b91fd3 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=75006c54214c9454ebb6be522562064a 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2c7f1087a57ff726f7052bdf77003d8c 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6bad1611de729ff84cada63015b27580 1440w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/ignite_the_night_2_d224846f-cc09-44d2-9d9a-225f8db579bc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=191e3827852ed78a674d6533c1bad5df 1582w)
Indigo Girls for Ignite the Night
Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 8PM at The Grand Opera House
A Benefit Concert for Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative
Support America’s next national park with a concert of the Indigo Girls featuring Jontavious Willis for the benefit of Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative. Over a 35 year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the Grammy-winning folk duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have built a dedicated following across the globe. They’ve recorded 16 studio albums and sold over 15 million records as one of the most successful folk acts in history. New generations are discovering one of their greatest hits with “Closer to Fine” featured prominently in the mega-blockbuster Barbie movie. Grammy-nominated blues musician Jontavious Willis will open for the group. Learn more about the park and join the movement: ocmulgeepark.org