WILDHORSE POW WOW RETURNS FOR 26th ANNIVERSARY EVENT

Pendleton, OR – After a two-year absence, the Wildhorse Pow Wow returns June 30, marking the 26th annual gathering. The event takes place at Wildhorse Resort & Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation near Pendleton Oregon.

Pow Wows are a celebration of cultural and spiritual traditions by Native Americans and First Nations people through drumming, singing, dancing and competition. The popular gathering attracts dancers and drummers from across the U.S. and Canada to celebrate their indigenous heritage. Pow Wows also provide an opportunity to pass traditions on to youth.

The Wildhorse Pow Wow welcomes individuals of any heritage to observe and enjoy the activities. The event can be a moving experience for spectators as they immerse themselves in the majesty of the ceremony, appreciate the intricate and colorfully detailed regalia, and admire the physical stamina of the competitors.

Over $90,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to outstanding dancers and drummers in a variety of categories. Dancers will compete in Traditional, Fancy, Golden Age, Grass, Chicken, Jingle, and more. Special dances include Elder, Cowgirl, and Round Bustle. Drummers compete in Hand Drum and Contest Drums.

The event kicks off with Pow Wow Comedy, Thursday, June 30, at 7pm, in the Rivers Event Center at Wildhorse. The show opens with Mark Yaffee, founder and co-star of the Pow Wow Comedy Jam; headlining is Tonia Jo Hall, known for her hilarious alter ego, “Auntie Beachress”.

The first Grand Entry for the Pow Wow starts Friday, July 1, at 7pm at the outdoor arena. The drumming and dancing continue daily through Sunday afternoon. The full event schedule can be viewed at wildhorseresort.com.

Host Drum for the Pow Wow is “Southern Style” of Montezuma Creek, Utah. Emcees are Jerry Meninick, Fred Hill, and Thomas Morning Owl.

The Wildhorse Pow Wow will feature traditional foods, handcrafted Native American items, and other merchandise sold by visiting vendors and artists. This is the best time to get your fry bread fix!

The outdoor arena is located northeast of the Tower Hotel at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Parking is east of the arena.

About Wildhorse Resort & Casino:

Centrally situated between Boise, Spokane and Portland, Wildhorse Resort & Casino is a popular destination resort with entertainment for the entire family. Wildhorse features two 18-hole golf courses, 300 hotel rooms, slots, table games, movie theatres, bowling, arcade, a variety of restaurants, an RV park, and so much more. Conveniently located off I-84 at exit 216, the resort easily accessible for enjoying entertainment like concerts, live comedy, pow wows, poker tournaments, parties, and conventions. Wildhorse offers over 1200 slots, all your favorite table games, live keno, and bingo. Just four miles east of Pendleton, Oregon, Wildhorse is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Also owned by the CTUIR, Hamley & Co, a historic western store, café and steakhouse anchors downtown Pendleton and is a tourist must-see.

About the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation:

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation comprises the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes, formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley. In 1949, the tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.