2019 Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow
Join us for the 49th Annual Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow on November 28-29, 2019 at the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation in Atmore, Alabama. Celebrate a cultural tradition during Thanksgiving this year, with the Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Each Year, tribal members gather on this original Creek tribal land for the annual Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow. You and your family are invited to join the festivities and enjoy a brilliant display of authentic Native American dress and exhibition dancing by Tribes from throughout the country.
Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow
Performances of ancestral dancers in authentic dress are at the core of the festival. American Indian music and dance shows continue throughout the two days. These exhibition dances help visitors understand the meaning of the dances, and the significance of the dancers’ costumes and accessories. Competition dancing in four age categories, each with a male and female division, is also a large part of the Pow Wow.
Watch the crowning of the Poarch Creek Indian Princesses and shop from numerous booths for crafts, quilts, and other keepsakes. Feast on Bar-B-Q and corn roasted over oak wood fires on open pit grills. Community churches join in the festivities by providing traditional turkey and dressing dinners, ham and fried chicken plates. Other choices abound for smaller appetites.
What was originally held as a homecoming for tribal members in 1971 has blossomed into today’s Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow tradition for not only the 20 or so tribal nations represented during the annual dance competition, but also for Alabama residents who come for the roasted corn on the cob, Buffalo burgers, merchant tents and family-friendly fun.
Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow Mini-Gallery
Over 10,000 people are expected to attend Thursday’s activities. Another 5,000 to 6,000 people are expected at the Friday event that is highlighted with an afternoon of dance and drum competitions.
General Admission
Adults ages 7 & up are: $5
Children ages 6 & under: Free
Dancers & Singers must pay General Admission on Thursday as their registration fee.
Hours
Daily: Gates open at 10:00 am
Grand Entry: Thursday 1:00 pm
Grand Entry: Friday 12:00 pm
Activities will start daily at 10:00 am and continue until Grand Entry.
The Poarch Creek Princess Contest will start at approximately 11:30 am
Vendors & Pets
Vendor Spacing is available (see web site).
No pets, drugs, alcohol, weapons, or ice chests.
Head Staff
Emcee- To Be Announced
Arena Director- To Be Announced
Head Drum Judge- To Be Announced
Head Dance Judge- To Be Announced
OVER $92,000 IN PRIZE MONEY (Tentative)
DRUM CONTEST 8 SINGER MINIMUM
Northern & Southern Combined
1st $12,000 2nd $8,000 3rd $6,000 4th $4,000 5th $2,000
HAND DRUM CONTEST 5 SINGER MINIMUM
1st $800 2nd $500 3rd $300
Northern & Southern Combined
1st $12,000 2nd $8,000 3rd $6,000 4th $4,000 5th $2,000
1st $800 2nd $500 3rd $300
Golden Age 55+
Men’s (Northern Traditional / Straight / Fancy / Grass)
Women’s (Northern Traditional / Southern Traditional / Jingle / Fancy)
1st $700 2nd $500 3rd $300 4th $200
Senior Adult Ages 35-54
Men’s (Northern Traditional / Straight / Fancy / Grass / Chicken)
Women’s (Northern Traditional / Southern Cloth / Southern Buckskin/
Jingle / Fancy)
1st $700 2nd $500 3rd $300 4th $200
Junior Adult Ages 18-34
Men’s (Northern Traditional / Straight / Fancy / Grass / Chicken)
Women’s (Northern Traditional / Southern Cloth / Southern Buckskin/
Jingle / Fancy)
1st $700 2nd $500 3rd $300 4th $200
Teen Ages 13-17
Boy’s (Northern Traditional / Straight / Fancy / Grass)
Girl’s (Southern Cloth / Buckskin / Jingle / Fancy)
1st $400 2nd $300 3rd $200 4th $100
Junior Ages 7-12
Boy’s (Northern Traditional / Straight / Fancy / Grass)
Girl’s (Traditional / Jingle / Fancy)
1st $200 2nd $100 3rd $75 4th $50
Tiny Tots Ages 0-6
HAND DRUM CONTEST: 5 SINGER MINIMUM
Location
Poarch Creek Indian Reservation
6477 Jack Springs Rd
Atmore, AL 36502
For More Information
Powwow Info: 251-368-9136 ext 2656; Email eventsstaff@pci-nsn.gov
Local Accommodations & Camping
Wind Creek Atmore Casino & Hotel
(866) 946-3360
Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve Campgrounds
(251) 446-3423
About The Poarch Band of Creek Indians
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are descendants of a segment of the original Creek Nation, and unlike so many southeastern tribes, they were not removed from their tribal lands. Thanksgiving day is a perfect time for these proud people to host their annual, 41-years-in-the-making pow wow.
During the 1980s, the Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow was extended to a two-day festival and now encompasses the Friday after Thanksgiving. The present site of the gathering is on land originally inhabited by this Native American tribe for thousands of years.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow on Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday – Friday) at the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation in Atmore, Alabama.
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