2019 Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival
Experience the 32nd Annual Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival on October 4-5, 2019 at Bartlesville Community Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival is a youth and adult powwows with competitive and non-competitive dancing, storytelling, a talent show, church service and gospel sing. Come to Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival in Bartlesville and enjoy a wealth of activities and exhibitions celebrating American Indian culture. This family-friendly event features youth and adult powwows with competitive and non-competitive dancing, storytelling, a talent show, church service, live entertainment and gospel sing. Witness as well-known American Indian artists in a variety of styles compete for the top prize in the Oklahoma Indian Summer art show and sale.
Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival
As an Intertribal festival, Oklahoma Indian Summer welcomes each of the more than 28 federally recognized nations, tribes, bands and townships headquartered in the state of Oklahoma. Since 1988, the Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival has been sponsored by the Cherokee, Delaware and Osage tribes of Indians. Those three Indian tribes located in Green Country, Oklahoma, have played a significant role in the Bartlesville area.
A Pow Wow, Festival & a Whole Lot More!
Oklahoma Indian Summer, a world-class Native American event that has been hosted by Bartlesville for decasdes, brings creativity center stage. Friday and Saturday the festival opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes late night after the pow wow, both days full of activities and presentations. Browse the impressive fine arts market where over 30 artists display their works for viewing and for sale, and a youth art show puts the talents of local students on display.
Craft and cultural demonstrations, along with Native American storytelling, enrich this festival and make it as educational as it is entertaining. An intertribal powwow will take place on both Friday and Saturday evening, at which the Oklahoma Indian Summer Princess will be crowned and contestants will vie for first place in the dance competitions.
Intertribal & Competition Powwow Dancing
The annual Oklahoma Indian Summer intertribal powwow kicks off with Gourd Dancing at 6 pm Friday and Saturday evenings in the powwow arena of the Bartlesville Community Center parking lot. Adult dance competition includes the categories of Women’s Cloth, Buckskin, Northern Fancy Shawl and Jingle (combined), Men’s Straight, Fancy, Traditional and Grass (combined). At 1 pm Saturday, the youth competitive dance competitions for the Junior Division, ages 7 through 15, and Tiny Tots, up to 6 years, begin in the dance arena. Prize money will be awarded to the winners of all the dance competitions at the conclusion of the Saturday evening powwow.
During the dance competitions, spectators are not allowed in the arena. However, during the intertribal dances, anyone is welcome to join the festivities and experience the excitement of a real powwow. Listen for instructions from the emcee. All dance competitions are free to the public. The benches around the arena are for the dancers; bleachers are provided for spectators and personal lawn chairs may be set up behind the dancers’ benches.
Fine Art Market
The fine art market will be held each day in the Bartlesville Community Center hall. Nationally recognized artists will show and sell traditional and contemporary artwork including sculpture, painting, gourd art, pottery and leather goods. A youth art exhibit will also be on display.
American Indian Storytelling
Representing several Indian tribes, local women will retell the stories that were handed down through generations to teach children a behavioral lesson in a fun way. Adults and children alike will enjoy the stories, many featuring animals as characters so children can relate easily to them.
Native American Cultural Demonstrations
A wide array of American Indian cultural demonstrations and storytelling are scheduled inside the community center and will be held throughout the weekend. The public is invited to an inter-tribal worship service, which will be performed in both Cherokee and English. Children’s events at Oklahoma Indian Summer will include painting, pony rides and plenty of games. Food and craft vendors will be on-site, as well as traders offering a variety of books, artifacts, supplies and clothing with an American Indian theme.
Vendors
For vendor information, contact Lori Pannell, Festival Coordinator, at (918) 397-2125 or coordinator@okindiansummer.org.
For More Information:
Lori Pannell, Festival Coordinator
(918) 397-2125
coordinator@okindiansummer.org
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival at Bartlesville Community Center in Bartlesville, OK.
Tags: Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival, Oklahoma Pow Wow, Oklahoma Native American Festival