Ahfachkeke Festival Proceeds Benefit Red Cross Relief Efforts

John Anderson, Bellamy Brothers perform

By Jaime Restrepo

BIG CYPRESS — Fans from throughout South Florida converged on the Rodeo Grounds to see John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers perform their hits during the Ahfachkeke Festival. While rainy weather was menacing across most of South Florida, the rain did not fall until the end of the last set, a short sprinkle that had little impact on the day’s events.

This year’s festival, emceed by Brian Zepeda of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, focused on raising money for tsunami victims. Staff from the Seminole fire and emergency services departments and from Billie Swamp Safari manned the donation booth. All proceeds were forwarded to the American Red Cross Disaster and Relief Fund.

The concert was originally conceived in the Big Cypress community with the assistance of Big Cypress Council Representative David Cypress and Chairman Mitchell Cypress. They became very involved with the disaster relief effort and asked Nery Mejicano to facilitate a public venue to raise money and public awareness.

The concert was originally planned for the Labor Day weekend on Sept. 4, to benefit the victims of Hurricane Charlie, which struck the state on Aug. 13. Unfortunately, Hurricane Francis paid the state a visit during that weekend, so the concert was postponed until Jan. 15 of this year.

However, during the 2004 Christmas holidays, tragedy struck in Asia as a strong earthquake caused a tsunami that caused devastation in several Asian nations, namely Indonesia. The tsunamis that resulted from the earthquake went on to wreak havoc and utter devastation in the Indian Ocean basin to kill in excess of 150,000 people. The proceeds from the concert were donated to the Red Cross to benefit both domestic and international relief efforts.

There was plenty to eat and things to buy from the vendors who set up stands throughout the Big Cypress Rodeo Grounds selling arts and crafts as well as food and beverages. For those who wanted a little more excitement, there was a mechanical bull ready for a challenge. Children had the option of a pony ride, or face painting.

George Billie, a Seminole senior citizen from Big Cypress, showed spectators how to make an alligator sleep. He explained how he used to be an alligator wrestler in his day. It was obvious the Billie hadn’t lost his touch as he skillfully handled the animal.

The event, produced by the Seminole Tribe, was also sponsored in part by Gator Country radio station 101.9. Howard and David Bellamy, the Bellamy Brothers, performed many of their classic hits like “Redneck Girl” and “Let Your Love Flow.”

John Anderson and his band were the final act and treated the audience with a string of country music hits. Of course, everyone got to their feet when he closed the evening’s performances with “Seminole Wind.”

Rising star bands kept the audience entertained while the star acts prepared for their stage appearances. Jesse and Noah Bellamy, sons of David Bellamy, gave the fans a taste of the next generation of Bellamy Brother music. Other bands kept the fans warm and primed for the day’s events. They included Smoken and As One.

It was a great opportunity to take in great music, good food, plenty of fresh air and just have fun during the all day event. Many thanks to the Big Cypress council representative’s office and the hard working crews who helped make this a successful event.