Dancers during the grand entry at the 49th Denver March Powwow at the Denver Coliseum last year. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
The Denver March Powwow marks its golden anniversary this weekend by welcoming more than 1,600 dancers from nearly 100 tribes across the country.
Why it matters: What started as a youth-focused celebration has evolved into one of the largest gatherings of its kind, with Indigenous peoples from 38 states and three Canadian provinces planning to attend this year.
State of play: The three-day event is freckled with dancing, singing, drumming and readings. Genuine Native American arts, crafts and food will also be available.
Other highlights includea reading by Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation author Joelle Bearstail, and a history of Native American cuisine presented by chef and author Lois Ellen Frank and Diné chef Walter Whitewater.
The Grand Entry — featuring hundreds of dancers streaming into the Denver Coliseum arena — starts tomorrow at 11am.
What they're saying: "Not only is it an event that is significant for the tribal people, but also is a mechanism to educate the non-tribal members of the variety of different cultures," Powwow president Ken LaDeaux tells us.
If you go: The Denver Powwow runs tomorrow though Sunday at the Denver Coliseum (4600 Humboldt St.)
Tickets start at $7 per day — or $20 for a three-day pass — and can be purchased online or at the door.
