American Indian Powwow Set for Saturday and Sunday

American Indian dancers and drum groups from across North America will gather in Boalsburg this weekend for the 13th Annual New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow.

The Penn State-sponsored powwow celebrating American Indian culture and spirituality will be held 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Mount Nittany Middle School.

‘The powwow is a contemporary social gathering and celebration of community featuring American Indian drum music and songs, dance and foods, as well as American Indian vendors showcasing and selling their art and crafts,’ according to a university news release.

The event is free and open to all.

“Everyone, native or non-native, is welcome, and admission is free,” said powwow coordinator John Sanchez (Ndeh Apache), an associate professor in Penn State’s College of Communications.

Visitors can watch traditional Native dancing and at times throughout the weekend are invited into the dance area to participate in an inter-tribal dance.

In addition to the drums and dance, the event includes an American Indian kitchen featuring foods such as buffalo burgers and frybread, a traditional storyteller and American Indian vendors.

More than 6,000 visitors attended the powwow in 2016.

A free shuttle will run to the powwow from the HUB-Robeson Center at the University Park campus every 30 minutes during the event.