The Magic of the Brighton Field Days Festival

By Susan Etxebarria

BRIGHTON — A great festival, magical with its intricate weave of so many complex elements, is a labor of love of many dedicated volunteers. Pre-event planning means months of advance preparation, and few get the recognition they deserve. Being involved with the Brighton Field Days Festival & Rodeo Festival, held Feb. 11–18, meant different things to different people.

One exhibitor, Nancy Dale, has written two loving books about the history of the Okeechobee region. She explained why she returns every year to sell her books.

“The reason I exhibit here at Brighton is because I think it is important to preserve the cultural heritage here and acknowledge the struggles of these Native American people who endured to settle this land. I have learned many lessons from the Seminole people,” Dale said. “How to preserve the present habitat and learn how to live off the land, and I write about this in my books.”

Days before the exhibitors and the public arrived, Tribal citizens were following some of the customary practices of the Field Days that began 69 years ago. On Feb. 11 the Field Days kicked off with a bowling tournament, and it was held again on Feb. 12 for the Tribal seniors.

Some of the favorite sports represented in the Field Days are golf and EIRA rodeo which took place on Feb. 14.

On Feb. 15, most residents enjoyed each other’s company at the annual community supper and Brighton Princess Contest. On Feb. 16, there were contests on the softball field including the pole peeling, archery and skillet throwing. At the same time, the rodeo grounds once again were buzzing with EIRA festivities starting at 5 p.m. with the youth rodeo and not ending until much later that night.

On that same day, the festival grounds were also swarming with children and their teachers, who came from various schools in the region for Culture Day. Culture Day is held annually and allows non-Tribal school children to learn more about Native American history and traditions.

Secluded in the trees were the traditional cultural exhibits, and once again Lorene Gopher, dedicated to preserving Seminole culture, was working hard. She showed the visitors how the Tribal women cooked in a chickee over an open fire, and handed out samples of fry bed.

A highlight of the festival was the parade with its decorated floats on the morning of Feb. 17 Stanlo Johns performed an excellent job as emcee. He enlightened curious tourists about the history of the Seminoles and how they came to be called “Unconquered.” He informed people about how the Tribe created a constitution in 1957 and how it was the first step to become a federally recognized Tribe.

When the parade was over, Johns introduced Tribal leaders and the queens and princesses who gave welcoming speeches.

One of the most enjoyable elements of the festival for anyone who appreciates the fashion, sewing and color of patchwork crafts is the costume contests. Alice Sweat, Field Days committee chairperson, said there were hundreds of members participating, including babies and children.

On the afternoon of Feb. 17, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s rodeo crowd made their presence known. Between the Native dance and Native drums and the country/cowboy music it was a full day of great music in a beautiful setting. In the chill of the evening, people who came from far and wide were bundled up in extra warm clothing at the rodeo as temperatures dipped to the low 40s.

The Haskell Dance Performers and the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers performed on the afternoon of Feb. 18.

Other musicians on the grounds included flute maker Mark Barfoot, who creates beautiful flutes and drums. He is a member of the Six Nation Indian Reserve. Some of his flute work is at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. He played his flute at his booth throughout the day and later he reflected on being at Brighton for the first time.

”I like playing at Indian reservations because it is on Indian ground and there are a lot of Indian spirits that have come and gone and their spirits are here and it feels good to be around those kind of spirits,” Barfoot said. “When I set up my booth and set up my flutes and play my flutes I am not only playing for the people who are walking around but I am also playing for the ancestors, and I hope they hear my music, and to me that is special.”

There were more booths and more vendors than ever. With so many unique booths it was educational to saunter through each one and find new treasures of arts and crafts. Art dealer and interior decorator Wayne Clay of Okeechobee’s Affordable Arts has had a booth every year for several years. He said that Seminole art is doing exceptionally well and commanding higher prices.

“Society is tired of everything being plastic; so commercial,” he said.

This year his booth featured the beautiful work of artist Mike Moore, who has become very popular in Okeechobee for his paintings of Seminole scenes and people. Moore’s work already has been collected by many Seminoles.

“I think people are getting away from that yuppie life we were into for so long,” the artist said.

Clay added, “We get a lot of people who appreciate Native art being close to nature and to wildlife, and they are pulling away from the plastic, the corporate Wal-Mart®.”

This festival has a special place in the hearts of people who they take away the magic of this different world and learn to appreciate cultures of many First Nations that have been here for many thousands of years.