UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than 200 Native dancers from as far as New Mexico, Canada, South Dakota and other American Indian Communities will participate in the 15th annual Penn State Powwow, April 6-7 at Mt. Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Dr., in State College, Pennsylvania.
A traditional American Indian powwow is a contemporary social gathering and celebration of community featuring American Indian drum music and songs, Native American dance, and Native American foods, as well as American Indian vendors showing and selling their arts and crafts.
The Penn State Powwow attracts more than 6,000 visitors each year and is recognized as one of the finest family-friendly events available in the State College area and one of the best traditional powwows in the Eastern United States.
“The Penn State Powwow is a fun and unique opportunity for Penn Staters and the State College Area community to be part of a traditional American Indian gathering and celebration,” said Victoria Sanchez, associate dean for Educational Equity in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. “This is a milestone 15th year for the powwow and we hope everyone who comes this year has a particularly good time!”
The powwow runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. The Grand Entry of Dancers is held at noon and then again at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, as well as at noon on Sunday. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
A free shuttle service will be available from the HUB-Robeson Center every hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about the powwow, including participants, traditions and visitor etiquette, visit the website at powwow.psu.edu.
The Penn State Powwow is sponsored by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Education, Outreach and Online Education, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity.