Standing Bear Powwow is September 23 and 24 in Ponca City

The Standing Bear Powwow, hosted by the six north-central tribes of Oklahoma, is held the last Friday and Saturday of September. This years Pow-Wow is Friday September 23 and Saturday September 24. It features inter-tribal dancing, exhibition dancing, contest dancing, tiny tot contests and the crowning of the Standing Bear Princess.

Visitors will also find a variety of arts and craft vendors, along with a wide variety of food vendors. This free event in Ponca City is open to the public and often considered one of the most significant American Indian events in the United States.

Attend the Standing Bear Powwow and witness as the Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa tribes gather to celebrate their tribal heritage with contest dancing, singing, drumming and more.

The Standing Bear Powwow begins Friday evening with gourd dancing, a wide variety of traditional tribal dances, princess selection, tiny tots contest and golden age contests. Don’t miss the Grand Entry and be rewarded with the amazing sight of native dancers in full regalia.

Visitors to the Standing Bear Powwow will also enjoy food vendors and artisan booths featuring Native American arts and crafts. A Saturday evening meal, which is served free to the public, generally consists of corn soup and fry bread. The powwow arena sits adjacent to the 63-acre Standing Bear Park & Museum, located just south of Ponca City.

Parking and camping spaces are free.