Entertainment

Pow Wow brings culture, fun

All manner of American Indian arts, crafts, music and lore are on the schedule for the three-day event.

By MICHELLE JONES
Published May 6, 2005

DADE CITY - An exchange of culture and traditions will highlight this year's Mother's Day Native American Pow Wow. The Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City will take a step back in time with American Indian drumming and dancing, tours of the authentic Indian Village, storytelling and displays of handmade arts and crafts.

Co-sponsored by the Sumter Native American Family Tribe Inc. and the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department, the three-day event will kick off at 9 a.m. Friday with activities for schoolchildren. Programs include tours of the Creek Village, games, retelling of myths and legends and a performance by the West Wind Riders, a marching horse band.

The first grand entry is set for 7 p.m. Participants in their finest attire will enter the arena as drums beat and dancing begins.

Otto Mahsetky and the Lords of the Plains, a drum and singing group, from Lawton, Okla., will be featured throughout the three days. Shenna Belmore and John Fields will lead the entries into the arena. Ken Camron will serve as master of ceremonies. Veterans will carry U.S. flags in and the public is invited to dance at certain times throughout the days.

Saturday the Pow Wow will begin at 9 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. with grand entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with one grand entry at 1 p.m. All mothers are invited into the arena to dance with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to celebrate Mother's Day.

The West Wind Riders, who have performed in drill team competition on horseback for more than 10 years, will perform at 11:15 a.m. Friday and at noon and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The team holds the 1998 and 1999 state championship title.

Artwork by Rex Begaye, leather clothing by Betty Denehy (known as Leather Betty), flute playing by Joseph Zampach and Aztecs from Mexico City will be there with their items and music for sale.

Osceola Seminole Foods, Grill on Wheels and barbecue by Bill Herndon will tempt taste buds, and the New World Celts will have books on their ancestors and bagpipes for entertaining as well as Highland fling dancing.

A raffle will be held for a Pendleton blanket called She Who Watches by artist Lillian Pitt and donated by Alex Blackwolf.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and camping is available. For reservations call the park.

WHAT: Mother's Day Pow Wow.

WHERE: Dade City's Withlacoochee River Park, U.S. 301 truck route to River Road. Follow Pow Wow signs. Call (352) 567-0264.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

COST: $2 per person, free for children 12 and younger.

[Last modified May 6, 2005, 00:38:16]