The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is celebrating its sixth anniversary today with special performances, guest speakers, free food and much more.

"It's our birthday, which is always a good excuse to have a party," said Trails Center Director Jude Carino. "It's our way of saying 'Thank you' to the community and to those who helped us get where we are today."

All admission for the day is free. Though the center is open regular summer hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the festivities run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In the last six years, Carino said the center has grown to be more than the sum of its parts.

"It's become more than just a building with things in it," he said. "We present stories from people and cultures of the past. When visitors embrace those stories and make them current, that's the change."

Carino said there are plans to expand on the current exhibits and reach out to the local community during the winter time. He said officials are planning more public programs and looking to give back to the community.

"People visiting the place add energy to it," he said. "Seeing them walk into here and seeing their reaction and what happens to them is really why we do it."

The theme of the day is "Native American Culture" and guest speakers will include Willie Le Clair from the Eastern Shoshone tribe and Allison Sage from the Northern Arapaho tribe.

The Wind River Dancers will perform a traditional Northern Arapaho dance, and Darrell Lonebear will interpret the movements and music to visitors.

Also joining the festivities is the Wyoming Public Broadcasting Service, which will be hosting "A Taste of the Trail," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where visitors are invited to eat a free plate of beans, cornbread and ice cream. It will also supply free bottled water and give away door prizes throughout the day.

The Wyoming PBS will also provide a licensed sign language interpreter to interpret all presentations for hearing impaired visitors.

There will be a children's trivia quiz continuously throughout the day, with prizes for all participants.

If you go

9 a.m., Kit Washut presents "An Emigrant Child's Experience on the Oregon Trail"

10 a.m. & 1 p.m., Willie Le Clair presents "Keeping the Shoshone Culture Alive"

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., "A Taste of the Trail."

11 a.m. & 2 p.m., The Wind River Dancers: Celebrating Our Heritage

12 noon & 3 p.m., Allison Sage presents "The Northern Arapaho Way"

For more information, call 261-7700 or visit www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/NHTIC.html

Reach reporter Riane Menardi at (307) 266-0610 or riane.menardi@trib.com