JAMESTOWN — Wearing bear claws around his neck, a bear skin helmet, black face paint made by mixing charcoal with oil and a breechclout around his waist, Todd (Ghost in the Head) Johnson represented his Huron Indian heritage well.

Johnson, who said he goes by the name Ghost to his friends, was among the groups who took visitors back to yesteryear on Saturday during the 19th annual Pymatuning Pioneer & Arts Festival at Pymatuning State Park in Jamestown.

A McKeesport native, Johnson brought along a few friends to demonstrate an Indian encampment. The festival also had a Civil War encampment, historical encampment and many other historical demonstrations presented by the Jamestown Area Historical Society.

The various groups worked all day on Saturday in preparation of a great feast. The Indians, for example, were working hard on a meal that included turkey, rice, corn, veggies with beans, squash and potatoes. While working diligently on the feast, they also described what it was like to live on the land many, many years ago.

“It’s to show the public and educate them on what Indians were like in the area,” said group member Dana (Laughing Crow) Knezevich.

Johnson and his group set up camp in a style of the Eastern Woodland Indians in the 18th century. They spent the night in a wigwam, which is a structure that is woven with what Johnson said is a cattail plant, or swamp grass.

It took nearly two hours to erect the structure, according to Johnson, who said he lives in the wigwam for an average of three days a week.

The group endured some trying times on Saturday during the heavy downpours that occurred in the area. They still persevered, even if they had to restart their fire with flint and steel three times throughout the day.

For the demonstrators, the favorite part of their day is interacting with the visitors. Whether it be shooting old-fashioned rifles, creating crafts or playing games with the guests, Johnson has been participating in the Pioneer Days for nearly a decade because of the interaction with the visitors.

“We have people who have come to see us every year,” Johnson said. “I prefer doing this. It gives me the opportunity to utilize the abilities and skills that I have in a real world fashion.”

The Indian encampment is among the many events that will return today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the two-day festival. There will be Abe Lincoln, Daniel Boone and Benjamin Franklin re-enactors. Also highlighting the today’s events are a pie eating contest at 2 p.m. and free boat rides from noon to 3.

Johnson is among those who will participate in the American Indian Heritage Weekend on Sept. 22 and 23 in Avella, which is located about 30 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh. The weekend celebrates western Pennsylvania’s Native American heritage at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village.

Although the gathering in Avella is one of the biggest in western Pennsylvania, Johnson said his trips back to Jamestown for the Pymatuning Pioneer & Arts Festival are always the most enjoyable.

“The crowd treats us great,” he said. “This is like coming home. This is the highlight of our year.”



Dan Walk can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at dwalk@meadvilletribune.com.



You can go

The 19th annual Pymatuning Pioneer & Arts Festival at Pymatuning State Park at Williamsfield Road on Route 322 in Jamestown began Saturday and concludes today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1 and parking is free.

Today’s schedule of events include:

Boat rides (free) — noon to 3 p.m.

Infantry artillery — noon

Newfoundland water rescue demonstration — 1

Gatehouse tours (free) — 1 to 3

Benjamin Franklin re-enactor — 1 to 1:45

Cow milking demonstration — 1

Civil war encampment activities: Fashion show from 1 to 1:45; children’s activities from 2:45 to 3:30

Pie eating contest — 2

Daniel Boone presentation — 2:30 to 3:15

Also scheduled:

Indian and historical encampment activities — all day

Kayak/safe padding presentation — all day

Antique and collectible tractor and equipment display — all day

Abe Lincoln (John King) speaks

Missy Clark “Good Wife” ongoing encampment activities

Ice cream making and butter churning demonstrations