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Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point to Host 55th Annual Pow Wow on July 11-12th

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4 months ago

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STONY POINT, N.Y. — Long before the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Stony Point, or the arrival of Dutch and English settlers, the lands along the Hudson River in present-day Stony Point were home to Native American communities who lived, hunted, fished, and traded throughout the region.

While some local stories and family traditions reference “Chippewa” ancestry, historians note that the Indigenous peoples who primarily inhabited the lower Hudson Valley, including present-day Rockland County, were Algonquian-speaking tribes, particularly the Munsee Lenape, a branch of the larger Lenape (Delaware) Nation. Early colonial records indicate that European settlers acquired land in the area from local Indigenous groups centuries before the establishment of the Town of Stony Point.

The Hudson River served as a vital transportation route and source of food for Native communities for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence throughout the lower Hudson Valley has revealed Native American settlements, campsites, and trade networks that predate European contact by centuries.

Today, Stony Point is perhaps best known for its Revolutionary War history, including the 1779 Battle of Stony Point and the strategic King’s Ferry crossing, but Indigenous history remains an important part of the area’s story.

It is important to note that the well-known Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation is a distinct Ojibwe (Chippewa) First Nation community located in Ontario, Canada, near Lake Huron. Despite sharing the name “Stony Point,” that community is not connected to the Town of Stony Point in Rockland County, New York. The Canadian First Nation traces its history to the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes region and has its own unique cultural heritage and history.

As interest in local history continues to grow, historians encourage residents to recognize the Indigenous peoples who first called the Hudson Valley home and to learn more about the Native cultures that helped shape the region long before the founding of modern-day Rockland County.

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Events

Rockland County Free Fall Festival Returns to West Nyack Oct. 18

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23 hours ago

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October 14, 2026

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The Historical Society of Rockland County will host its 13th Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 18, bringing a day of family activities, live entertainment, historic demonstrations and Revolutionary War reenactments to West Nyack.

Presented in partnership with Heritage of West Nyack and the Town of Clarkstown, the free festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at 131 Germonds Road, adjacent to Germonds Park.

The event will offer visitors an opportunity to experience local history, explore traditional crafts and enjoy seasonal activities for all ages.

Revolutionary War History Comes to Life

One of the festival’s featured attractions will be an encampment by Heard’s Brigade of the New Jersey Militia, offering a look at military life during the American Revolutionary War.

Visitors can explore 18th-century tents and watch demonstrations of open-fire cooking, militia drills and musket firing. Revolutionary War skirmish reenactments are scheduled for 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The festival will also feature tours of the historic Onderdonk-Tallman-Budke and Vanderbilt-Budke-Traphagen houses, along with a presentation by Clare Sheridan titled “Who Was Naut Kanniff? The Story of the Witch of West Nyack.”

Traditional craft demonstrations will include lacemaking by Mayra Petretti of the Metropolitan Chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc., as well as wool and flax spinning demonstrations by Celeste Sherry.

Family Activities and Fall Fun

Families can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities throughout the afternoon, including horse-drawn wagon rides scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Horses R Us 4-H Club will offer pumpkin picking, decorating and painting, while Fred DePaul will present sheep-shearing demonstrations at 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Children can also take part in colonial-era games presented by Tom Hunt of Waterside Forge. Balloony Toony Entertainment will provide balloon animals, face painting and glitter tattoos.

Additional attractions will include free mini-golf, raffles, craft vendors and demonstrations. A pen-turning workshop hosted by the Hudson Valley Wood Turners will be available for participants ages 12 and older. Reservations are recommended, and interested participants can contact Len Stambler at Lstambler@gmail.com.

Live Music and Entertainment

Music will be part of the afternoon’s festivities, with balladeer Thaddeus MacGregor performing alongside Wee Jim the Limberjack. Additional musical entertainment will feature Scott Staton, Keith Olsen and Pat Keating.

Organizers invite residents and visitors to enjoy an afternoon celebrating Rockland County’s history, heritage and fall traditions.

Event Information

  • What: 13th Annual Fall Festival
  • When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, noon to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Historical Society of Rockland County, 131 Germonds Road, West Nyack, adjacent to Germonds Park
  • Admission: Free
  • Workshop reservations: Contact Len Stambler at Lstambler@gmail.com for the pen-turning workshop.

With Revolutionary War reenactments, historic house tours, traditional crafts, live music and family-friendly fall activities, the festival will offer visitors a chance to experience local history while celebrating the season.

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Events

Spirit of Sobro Returns October 2 for 5th Annual Celebration

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2 weeks ago

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September 30, 2026

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Celebrating its fifth year, this popular community event is getting bigger, with the festivities expanding to a second block this year.

The event will stretch from Depew to the gas station, creating additional space for vendors and entertainment. Organizers say 45 vendors are expected, along with street performers, circus sideshows, live music, a DJ, drumming and more throughout the event.

One tradition will remain in place: the Tarot salon inside Modern Druid, which will be open throughout the evening.

Organizers are encouraging the community to come out, support local vendors and performers, and help make this year’s celebration the biggest and most fun yet.

Bring your friends, spread the word and come enjoy an evening of music, entertainment, shopping and community.

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