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Harvest Pow Wow returns to Naper Settlement

A two-day festival of drumming, dancing, and Native American art brought hundreds of people to the annual Harvest Pow Wow on Saturday at Naper Settlement.

Carolyn Finzer of Naperville was dressed to dance at the pow wow, as she wore a Seminole and Miccosukee tribe two-piece outfit with a rainbow clan pattern.

Finzer, a fourth-generation Napervillian is of German descent but said she comes to the event every year because "in the circle of life we are all connected.

"I dance every year at this, and I've been dancing at pow wows for over 35 years now. My legs will tell me tomorrow that I have danced," said Finzer, who is 68 years old. "This is Native American aerobics at its best, when you dance."

The fall festival is presented by the Midwest SOARING Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates the public about the Native American heritage. It continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Members of the Save Our American Raptors were also on hand to offer opportunities to get an up close view of this rare bird species. Brian Allen of Grand Ridge, Illinois, who held a western red-tailed hawk, said. "It's a hobby that turns into a lifestyle. Being around the birds kind of gets in your blood, which captivates you."

  Carolyn Finzer, center, dances in the Midwest SOARING Harvest Pow Wow grand entry Saturday at Naper Settlement. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Carolyn Finzer talks to a vendor during the Harvest Pow Wow celebration Saturday at Naper Settlement. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Members of Save Our American Raptors offered opportunities to get close to rare birds. Brian Allen holds a western red-tailed hawk during the Harvest Pow Wow Saturday at Naper Settlement. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Actor Moses Brings Plenty attended the Harvest Pow Wow Saturday at Naper Settlement. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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