Department of Tourism
Hopkinsville to Host Trail of Tears Pow Wow Sept. 6-7

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. --  This weekend the Trail of Tears Commission is hosting the 21st  Annual Pow Wow at the historic Trail of Tears Commemorative Park on US HWY 41 in Hopkinsville, Ky., site of the actual trail and encampment used during the forced removal of the Cherokee people from 1838-39.  

This exciting Native American gathering takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, 2008. The gates open at 10 a.m. both days at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, US HWY 41 (Pembroke Road), to a pow wow filled with dance competitions, Native American arts and crafts, Cherokee storytelling, tipi displays, Indian foods, tomahawk throwing, and authentic Native American dance contests with contestants in full Native American regalia.

Native Americans travel from all over the United States and Canada to participate in these dance competitions at the Trail of Tears Pow Wow, competing for over $20,000 in prize money.  Men’s dance competitions are traditional, grass, straight, golden age and the spectacular fancy dance.   Women’s competitions are in buckskin, fancy shawl, jingle, cloth and golden age.  There will also be junior competitions for male and female dancers 11-16 years old and youth dance competitions for boys and girls ages 6-10, along with popular tiny-tot competitions for boys and girls 5 and under.

This year's Pow Wow will also have the largest number of Native American vendors offering jewelry, art, leather and beadwork, clothing, books and a variety of Native American-made products, plus more food and beverage choices.  The public is invited to come join this once-in-a-lifetime Native American Pow Wow experience.  Gates open at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

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