Courtesy of the SINM
This year we celebrate the 50th Annual Seneca Nation, Cattaraugus Fall Festival, a tradition that began in 1975 when community members gathered to envision a fair that would celebrate Seneca culture and bring people together. Inspired by the historic Indian Fairs that began in 1860, the Fall Festival was created to carry forward that spirit of gathering, sharing, and community pride.
The then Seneca Nation President, Robert C. Hoag was a strong supporter of getting the Fall Festival established. Much of the vision was carried forward by Frank Kettle, whose efforts led to the creation of the modern Fall Festival. After his passing, his daughter Winifred (Wini) Kettle dedicated countless hours to chairing and organizing the event, helping to ensure it became a lasting tradition for the Seneca people. Today, it is still supported by the Seneca Nation.
The first festival carried the theme of uniting the “old” and the “new” – strengthening cultural pride while building connections with the wider public. It featured a parade, beauty pageant, homemaking and agricultural exhibits, art displays, and dancing, setting the foundation for a celebration that would only grow in size and meaning.
Over the years, the Fall Festival has continued to honor these roots. By the late 1970s, the event had expanded to include lacrosse games, dance and dress contests, children’s events, and arts and crafts demonstrations. In the 1980s, themes like “The Year of the Child” and “Cultural Pride of the Woodland Indian” highlighted the importance of family, tradition, and community identity.
Attendance grew into the thousands, with people traveling from across the region to take part in the festivities. By the 1990s, the Festival was widely recognized as a space where Seneca heritage could be celebrated, shared, and passed on, with artisans, storytellers, and cultural leaders helping to keep traditions alive.
For fifty years, the Fall Festival has been more than just an event – it is a gathering place for family and friends, a showcase of arts, foods, and traditions, and a living expression of Seneca identity. From its beginnings in the Saylor Council Room in 1975 to today’s large community-wide celebration, the Festival continues to remind us of the strength, creativity, and unity of our people.
Join us on September 13 & 14, 2025 on the Cattaraugus Territory, for the celebration of the 50th Fall Festival.
Images descriptions – see slideshow below:
The first “Indian Princess” winner, Penny Seneca (pictured above)
Arial view of the 1st Fall Festival
Hot air balloon at the first Fall Festival
Hoop dancing in the Saylor Building gym at the first Fall Festival
Cover of the program of the first Fall Festival
Schedule of events for the first Fall Festival
Francis Kettle acknowledgment from the program of the first Fall Festival
Fall Festival Schedule of Events
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