Special to the Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is ready once again to host its 28th annual 11th Moon Storytelling from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the museum auditorium.

The Grand Village is located at 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd. The event is recommended for children ages 7 to 99 and light refreshments will be served. Please note admission is free!

Although this storytelling event is only in its 28th year, the tradition dates back long before the written word. Cultures from around the world used storytelling to educate and entertain their people. In some cultures, the storyteller was highly revered among their people. Today’s fairy tales continue to teach lessons to our children just as much as Sesame Street, Dora and Diego. American Indian stories are very much the same; however most of us have never heard these stories before.

Traditionally, the Natchez Indians would tell their tales during harsh winter months when they had more spare time. Eleventh moon, for which our event is named, is based on the Natchez calendar. For them, the 11th moon was the celebration of cold meal. But don’t worry; neither cold grits nor corn meal will be the refreshments; we prefer cookies and lemonade.

This year features some regional storytellers such as Sam Jones, Marianne Raley, Susan Bonnette, and the Natchez Little Theatre players Layne Taylor, Morgan Mizell, Royal Hill, Arden McMillin, Christina Givens, Dwight Williams, Lee Dellinger, Don Vesterse, Nance Hixon, Emily Hixon, Mario Radford and Tyler Brown.

If you are a student who wants to get extra credit for public speaking, contact the village.

This year, the event will also host the Morgantown Middle School mask exhibit.

So, bring your family or bring a friend, everyone is welcome to come and enjoy these stories of long ago.

For more information on this event, please call the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians at 601-446-6502.