Helping Hands: Mojave River Valley Museum Barbecue

The 42nd annual Mojave River Valley Museum (MRVM) barbecue will be held this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dana Park, corner of Barstow Road and Virginia Way. Dinner will consist of barbecued beef, baked beans, salads, rolls, drinks and cookies. A donation of $8 for adults and $4 for children 11 years and under is asked. Tickets are available from Museum members and at the door during the barbecue.

There are also MRVM opportunity tickets to purchase for $1 each. Winners do not need to be present to win. First prize is $500 cash and dozens of other prizes too.

In addition to the barbecue and drawing fund-raiser for MRVM, there is a full day of free activities inside and out at the museum, Dana Park and the Desert Discovery Center.

The MRVM is across the street from Dana Park. Activities in the front yard begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. There will be demonstrations and displays of sourdough Dutch oven cooking, beer and wine making, blacksmithing, gold panning, old fashioned spinning and carding, Indian blanket weaving, early man tools, and the old railroad Drover Car open with displays and tours.

Inside the museum will be scheduled events:
• Noon: “Main street Murals Education Art History Program” by Clifford Walker and Jane Laraman-Blockhurst.
• 12:30 p.m.: “Vanyume Tribe” (Mojave Desert Indians.)
• 1:00 p.m.: “Chemehuevi Tribe” with Charles Woods and Phil Wyman.
• 1:30 p.m.: “Chemehuevi Basket Weaving” and “Keeping the Language Alive” with Mary Claw and Ernesteen.
• 2:00 p.m.: “Mojave Tribe.”
• 2:30 p.m.: “Kawaiisu Tribe- Cultural Heritage and Kinship” by Harold Williams.

There will also be activities in the yard at Dana Park during the day.
• All Day : “Wickiup Builder” by John Hammond
• Noon: Introductions and Cultural Presentation by Mike Martinez and Family.
• 1:15 p.m.: Workshop by Bird Singers.
• 2:15 p.m.: Wickiup Building Update.
• 2:30 p.m.: Mojave Tribal Band.
• 3:00 p.m.: Performance and Dance Presentation by Bird Singers.
• 3:25 p.m.: Building Wickiup Update by Hammond.
• 4:00 p.m.: MRVM Opportunity Drawing.

 At the Discovery Center, 831 Barstow Road, across from Dana Park, will be the dedication of a Main Street Mural — “Native Voices from the Mojave Desert” at 4:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and Indian flute playing by Mike Martinez.

This year the MRVM barbecue is in partnership with Main Street Murals and Discovery Trails. They are presenting their first “Native American Festival” and are hoping it can become an annual event.

Support these organizations as you are able and thanks to the many volunteers who make them function so well.

ABOUT THE WRITER:
Helen Bendure is a correspondent for the Desert Dispatch She can be contacted at rimrock83@aol.com