A Native American gathering and Mountain Man Rendezvous on Friday began the Hot Springs Fall Heritage Festival, which continues through Sunday, Sept. 20.

Friday's events at the Allen Ranch east of Hot Springs featured drum groups and a traditional buffalo feed. Also scheduled were presentations and performances by the Red Cloud Family on Lakota Quill Work; Paula Tonemah, Artist/Author of "Spirit Horse, an Adventure in Crazy Horse Country"; Larry Belitz of Hot Springs, author of "The Buffalo Hide Tipi of the Sioux"; Peggy Sperlich, storyteller, "Grandfather's Bedtime Stories" by Franklin A. (Bull Tail) Scout; Larry White Crow, actor/storyteller; Ed Two Bulls, Lakota artist; and the Red Wall Muzzle Loaders Mountain Man Group.

The Fall Heritage Festival continues Saturday and Sunday in downtown Hot Springs and in city parks. Organizers hope to make it an annual festival.

Events Saturday include the Local Yokel Theatre Company performing bits of Hot Springs history on downtown streets.

Other attractions Saturday include wagon rides, antique cars, music, storytellers, an herbal walk and the American Legion Military Ball.

Western movies will be shown at the Hot Springs Theatre.

An old-fashioned hog roast will be at Centennial Park, with entertainment by the Sandstone singers. Noah's Place will offer a petting zoo along with horse rides for children. Boys and Girls Club and the Kiwanis will have children's games.

On Sunday, Cowboy Church will be held and An Ole Fashioned Picnic served by the Hot Springs Band at Chautauqua Park.

For more information go to the festival's Web site at www.hotspringsfallheritagefestival.com