While pleasantly pleased with my visit to Wildflower’s First Annual Native American Festival, I quickly realized that the event was sadly misrepresented in the Reno Artown booklet. The booklet promised Native American dancers, demonstrations, vendors, basket weaving, flute making, pottery and more. Yes, there were vendors, but the other promised experiences were sadly missing.

A call to the Wildflower Gallery assured me that the festival would take place all day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. When I arrived at 4:30 p.m., the grounds were sadly lacking of demonstrations.

However, there was still a learning, entertaining experience to be found for those willing to ask questions and listen.

Local artist Yvonne Logan has been weaving rope baskets for 20 years. She also takes photos of the beautiful natural area and creates Indian art paintings on rocks, gourds and empty wine bottles.

“I’m in a pay-it-forward situation,” Logan said. “I taught Clint Appelt how to create rope baskets and in turn he is now teaching me how to weave horse hair baskets.”

Jewelry vendors were also present, with two distinct styles represented. The traditional beaded necklaces, earrings and other goodies were handcrafted by Michelle Ton and her family.

“I went to business school and traveled to meet people,” Ton said. “This is a family business. My dad got sick and couldn’t support the family anymore so we all picked up making jewelry to help out and it’s part of our heritage.”

Another popular type of jewelry was handmade magnetic therapy bracelets, necklaces and other items. Jim Jones, the proprietor, acquires his materials all over the country including New York, California and Utah to name just a few states.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” Jones said. “I just follow the Red Trail.”

Other vendors supplied dream catchers, peace pipes, hand-carved flutes and many other small trinkets.

With the sun beating down steadily, a nice breeze keeping the sun from getting too hot and Native American music playing through a stereo softly in the background, it was a very pleasant few hours despite the disappointment of not getting the chance to view Native American dancers.