Two months before his lung cancer diagnosis in 2006, Paul Eddy pondered holding an annual festival in Hall County celebrating Native American traditions.

"He was the picture of health and we were going to do (a festival) here," said his widow, Toadie Eddy. "Five months later, he passed away. ... So, naturally, we had to just put things on hold."

Paul Eddy’s dream didn’t fade, however.

She and her son, Ryan Eddy, began working last year to hold one of the twice-yearly festivals — in the past held in Lawrenceville — at the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center at 1855 Calvary Church Road.

Their labors resulted in the Chicopee Woods Indian Festival, which began Saturday and wraps up today.

The event features dancers dressed in full Native American regalia and vendors around the center’s rodeo area.

Vendors sell authentic arts and crafts. "There’s no junk, no imported items," Ryan Eddy said.

When Paul Eddy, a full-blooded Sioux who hails from the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota, started the event 18 years ago, "the biggest thing he wanted to do was educate the public on Native Americans," Ryan Eddy said.

"Dad always felt they were the most misunderstood race of people."

Paul Eddy started Voice in the Wind to showcase and teach about Native American culture.

Billy Lacy, whose Cherokee ancestors were removed to Oklahoma from Georgia as part of the infamous "Trail of Tears," emceed the event, including the "grand entry," or a parade of dancers preceded by a color guard.

The dancers entertain but also compete for prize money.

"We’ve got dancers from all over the United States and Canada," Lacy said.

"For some of these dancers, this is their living," Ryan Eddy said. "They go around to these (events) every weekend ... but a majority of them have regular jobs and they do this to be a part of their culture."

Some 30 tribe nations were represented at Saturday’s competition, the two men said.

Several parents said they brought their children to the event to expose them to a different culture.

"We find it fascinating," said Josh Holt of Gainesville, standing next to his 6-year-old son, Samuel, who was sitting atop a white wooden fence skirting the center arena.

"It’s good to be supportive of events like this," Holt said.

Lisa Milton of Lilburn said, "This is a nice way to welcome the fall and celebrate the harvest."

Her 8-year-old son, Sam, said he liked the dancers’ attire.

"Their suits look really cool," he said.

They browsed around a booth operated by Black Stone, an Ohio-based business specializing in Native American-inspired drums and art.

"We’re in our 16th year," said Steve Trout, who runs Black Stone with his wife, Vicki, "and I can guarantee that at least one, if not two, of my drums are up there being used."

As he was talking, Trout was lacing up a square, two-sided hand drum made of rawhide.

Trout has been working the festival for years.

"The promoters are dear friends of ours," he said.

Lacy, a silversmith who makes custom jewelry, started helping at the festivals 14 years ago.

"Paul was my best friend," said Lacy, a throat cancer survivor. "... And with Ryan and Toadie, as long as they’re going to do this and as long as they want me to come and help, I’ll come and help."