The Standing Bear Foundation is happy to announce the return of the annual pow wow. The 27th Annual Standing Bear Pow Wow will be held on September 23rd and 24th after having been canceled for two years because of COVID.

The 2-day event begins on Friday evening at 5:00 with gourd dancing. The princess competition dance will be held at 6:30 with the crowning to be held immediately after the Grand Entry that is scheduled to begin at 7:00. The evening continues with intertribal dancing as well as competition dancing in the Tiny Tots, Jr./Teen, and Golden Age divisions. The Tiny Tots are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

On Saturday afternoon Gourd Dancing will begin at 1:00 p.m. and end in time for the meal break at 5:30. There will be a traditional meal provided at 5:30 and then the evening’s festivities start with the Grand Entry scheduled for 7:00. The Saturday night competition dancing includes the Adult divisions and the special Men’s Traditional Contest. The head staff for the 27th annual pow wow includes Oliver Littlecook (M.C.), Pete Littlecook (Head Singer), Louie Sage (Head Man Dancer), Kristy Street (Head Lady Dancer), Leroy Enloe (Arena Director), Robert “Bo” Spottedbear (Arena Director), Joe Poe (Head Gourd Dancer), Noah Buffalohead (Water Carrier), Kathleen Headman Taylor (Outgoing Princess) and Osage American Legion Post 198 (Color Guard). Veteran’s Landing will be taking care of the flag raising and lowering each day.

This is a community event and the public is welcome. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the singing and dancing. There will be food vendors as well as craft vendors both days. Admission is free as is parking. For additional information contact the Standing Bear Museum at 580-762-1514.

The Standing Bear Pow Wow is NOT a fund raiser and is made possible in part through funding from the Oklahoma Arts Council.