Montville ― The Mohegan Tribe will hold its annual Wigwam Festival Aug. 17 and 18 at Fort Shantok from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The festival features food, drink, vendors of artisan goods and entertainment including dancing and music.

The Grand Entry, held at noon both days, will feature Mohegan Tribal members, dressed in regalia, dancing into a huge tent followed by members of the other tribes in attendance.

Cathy Soper, the tribe’s director of strategic initiatives and communications, said this year’s festival will honor Mohegan Lands, with a spotlight on five particular locations. They are the Mohegan Church, Fort Shantok, the Tantaquidgeon Museum, the Mohegan Burial Grounds and Cochegan Rock.

Last year was the first year the festival opened to the public after the COVID-19 pandemic, Soper said, adding this year the tribe is excited for it to be “even bigger and better.”

Parking and entry to the festival are free. Parking will be at Saint Bernard School with shuttles running from there both days.

“We want to make sure that we’re welcoming and having as many people come through to learn about not just Mohegan, but Native Americans in general,” Soper said.

Daily updates can be found on the tribe’s Facebook page.

d.drainville@theday.com