Pala seventh annual 'Honoring Traditions' Powwow this weekend

PALA - The Pala Band of Mission Indians is proud to host its seventh annual “Honoring Traditions” Powwow August 22 through 24 at the Pala Rey Youth Camp on the Pala Indian Reservation. This event is free and open to the public.

Powwow gates will open:

•4:00 p.m. on Friday

•10:00 a.m. on Saturday

•10:00 a.m. on Sunday

The Grand Entry will occur:

•8 p.m. on Friday

•1 p.m. on Saturday

•8 p.m. on Saturday

•1 p.m. on Sunday

Other events that will take place during the Powwow are dance contests, bird singing, and a peon tournament with cash prizes over $60,000. All ages are welcome to participate in the singing and dance contests. Eight invited performers will also compete in a drum contest for a grand prize of $12,000.

Along with the traditional activities, there will be a variety of food vendors, including traditional fry bread and Indian tacos. There will also be arts and crafts booths that offer authentic Native American jewelry, beadwork, art, and souvenirs.

Ruben Little Head of Lame Deer, MT and Dennis Bowen, Sr. of Tuba City, AZ will serve as the Masters of Ceremonies.

“The Pala Band of Mission Indians is proud to host the ‘Honoring Traditions’ Powwow for the seventh consecutive year,” said Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. “There will be something for everyone over the three days of the event. Representatives from Native American tribes all over the country will be here, so we hope people can have a fun day while learning something about the history of the Pala Band, the region and all of the tribes that are attending.”

For more information, visit www.palatribe.com.