Totally Texas -- PowWow dancing all weekend

50^th Annual Championship Indian PowWow

Traders Village

2606 Mayfield Road

Grand Prairie, Texas

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Hundreds of Native American dancers participate tonight through Sunday afternoon in nearly two dozen separate dances celebrating the 50^th Annual Championship Indian PowWow at Grand Prairie’s Traders Village.

To the music of singers and drummers, dancers in dress regalia you have to see to believe will compete for prizes in single and team events, beginning with the grand entry at 8 o’clock tonight. The Kiowa tribe’s Terry Tsotigh provides additional entertainment during the weekend with his award-winning Indian flute and harmonica music. Head singer for the dancing is Jason Lightfoot.

Dance contests are scheduled for 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. Saturday, with “Tiny Tots” dancers (up to age 6), sponsored by KNON 89.3’s “Beyond Bows & Arrows” crew, dancing Saturday morning. Dancing Sunday is from 1 -5 p.m. All dances are in the arena on the west side. Friday’s night entry should escape the worst of the heat, and the Weather Channel predicts cooler temperatures for the rest of the weekend.

During and between dances, you can shop the arts and crafts show at the nearby covered Green Expo pavilion. Show hours are 6 p.m. until midnight (approximately) Friday, 10 a.m. until midnight (approximately) Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday. Arts and crafts available for sale include jewelry, pottery, baskets, paintings and other artwork, rugs, clothing, and more. If last year’s was an indication, vendors will also offer beads, feathers and other supplies for crafters.

You can check out the teepee exhibit for a close-up of traditional shelter. And of course, you can eat, at booths selling fry bread, Indian tacos, corn soup and more.

The powwow is sponsored by the Dallas/Fort Worth Inter-Tribal Association. It’s free, but there's a $3 per vehicle fee to park at Traders Village.

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Want more powwow? Try the KNON Benefit PowWow Saturday, October 6, at Four Winds Park in Springtown, Texas. Programming at community radio station KNON (89.3 FM) includes Sunday evening’s Beyond Bows & Arrows, with hosts Albert Old Crow and Harold Rogers. Dancing begins at 2 p.m. with food, raffles, arts and crafts. For more information, see “Beyond Bows & Arrows” on Facebook.