By By Janet Little-Cooper – special to the standard
The Poarch Creek Indian Pow wow has become a Thanksgiving tradition for thousands of people from all over the United States.
Tribal members have been working around the clock to prepare for the influx of people who will converge on the Tribal grounds Thursday morning when the gates open at 9 a.m.
This year's Pow wow returns to the original two-day event this year with activities planned for Friday as well.
Mound activities will begin Thanksgiving Day at 9:30 a.m. with a dance presentation from the Philadelphia Choctaw Tri-Community Dancers.
The Oklahoma Creek Stomp Dancers at 10:15 a.m., a hoop dancer at 11 a.m., and the Aztec Dancers will follow them at 11:15 a.m.
Opening ceremonies for the 36th annual Pow wow will begin at noon with a welcome from Tribal chairman Buford Rolin.
The presentation of the Tribal Youth Princess Contest will follow as female Tribal members compete for the title of Tribal Princess in varying age groups.
The Grand Entry and Inter-Tribal Dance and dance competition will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Dance Arena. A stomp dance will conclude the Thanksgiving Day festivities at the gym in Poarch.
This year's event will also feature Southeastern Indian Cultural Presentations by Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Robert Thrower throughout the day on Thursday at the Calvin McGhee Cultural Center.
The gates will open at 9 a.m. Friday followed by the first mound activities featuring the Philadelphia Choctaw Tri-Community Dancers at 9:30 a.m.
The grand entry will occur at 11 a.m. Friday and the Pow wow will shut down at 5 p.m. Friday evening with prize money being awarded.