During its two-day Strawberry Festival and Native American Gathering, the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society invites people to explore history, learn Native American dances, enjoy family fun and games and sample tasty treats. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, on the grounds of Haldeman Mansion, 230 Locust Grove Road, Bainbridge.

Native American dancing and drumming, with drumming provided by the White Buffalo Singers, will begin at noon both days. The group will focus on social dances that engage the audience, provide education and offer fun for everyone, said Alesha Kerr, event coordinator.

"We will also have Native American flute music performed by Chris Thompson and story time with Mark Warfel," she said. "Mansion tours will be available at 1:30 and 3 p.m. on both days, led by Joe Hottenstein."

Numerous children's activities are planned, she added, including tomahawk throwing and beading jewelry, and a teepee will be on-site for people to explore.

Vendors will have items for sale, and people will have an opportunity to win items donated by vendors, local businesses and local artists. The drawing will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, and people do not need to be present to win.

"We will also showcase a couple of educational displays about the Susquehannock and Conoy Native Americans who lived in this area before the mansion was constructed," Kerr shared.

Food options will include Native American fry bread, which will be deep fried and served with toppings that include beef, vegetables, cheese and salsa.

"For dessert, we will offer it drizzled with strawberries, honey and a sprinkle of powdered sugar," Kerr said. "Additionally, hot dogs, bratwurst and chips will be available, along with strawberry shortcake ice cream and other strawberry-themed desserts."

The festival will also feature "Grand Entry" at noon both days.

As Kerr explained, this is a sacred procession that marks the opening of a Native American powwow.

"Even though this really isn't a 'powwow,' we still want to open like one," she said. "Grand Entry consists of an opening song with honor guard, flags and dancers, followed by posting the flags." A flag song and veterans' song will also be featured in the ceremony, and all veterans present will be invited into the circle to dance.

This year's event has a deeply personal connection for Kerr.

"My mother, Christina Mark, was a member of the Haldeman Mansion Society. Her parents were two of the original members who started the society," Kerr said, noting that when her mother passed away unexpectedly in January of 2025, she and her brothers decided to recreate the festival Mark led while the siblings were growing up in the 1980s and '90s. "It was a two-day event back then, and during the festival we had a powwow. So, in honor of her, my brothers and I decided to do it the way Mom did it one more time in remembrance of all her love and hard work she put into the mansion."

Proceeds from the festival will be used for ongoing restoration work at the mansion. The Haldeman Mansion, which is on both the State and National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1811. The grounds were once home to one of the largest Native American villages along the Susquehanna River, and the mansion was the home of Samuel Haldeman, a professor and scientist.

"The Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society is working to restore the mansion to the way it looked in the early 1800s and for it to be used to promote history, education, as an event venue and community use," Kerr said.

This year's festival will honor both Christina Mark and Patricia Rineer.

Mark grew up in Locust Grove across from the Haldeman Mansion, where her love of history and archaeology began. As a child, she searched plowed fields with her grandfather and a local archaeologist for Native American artifacts. In the 1970s, she learned from archaeologists Barry Kent and Steve Warfel during state digs at the mansion, deepening her passion for preserving the site. She later helped form preservation efforts; organized festivals and educational programs; and taught children about Native American culture, nature and local history. She dreamed of the mansion becoming a museum and educational center honoring the region's Native American heritage for future generations.

Rineer, who also passed away in January of 2025, sang alongside her husband, who drummed for a Native American drum group. She was involved with numerous Native American and educational programs with Mark.

"We had others who passed away within the past two years that we will also be honoring in dance this weekend," Kerr said, naming board member Louise Reichert among others. "This is a weekend to honor them all."

For more information, search for "Strawberry Festival Native American Gathering" on Facebook.