Pow Wows are usually three day weekend events

People may travel great distances to attend a pow wow. The main Pow Wow season is the summer months, however, you can find a pow wow somewhere in North America every weekend of the year. However, the pow wow season usually begins slowly about March and builds momentum in July and August, when there are usually dozens of pow wows to choose from each weekend, then the pow wow schedule begins to taper off again after Labor Day.

All people (including non-Indian people) are welcome at PowWows and are encouraged to attend one, as experiencing a Pow Wow can be a valuable and fascinating cultural experience for non-Indian people unfamiliar with our neighbors, the Indian people.

There are several different kinds of Pow Wows

The two most common kinds of pow wows are known as traditional pow wows and competition Pow Wows. In traditional Powwows everyone who participates in the dance or singing programs is awarded day money. While there is still a degree of competition in the dancing events, it is somewhat informal and ceremonies such as honorings, giveaways, "first" dances and adoptions are also important activities of the day. A competition Pow Wow, on the other hand, has significant prize money available for the dancers, depending upon the resources available to the individual host tribe. While everyone can still compete and dance, only the dancers who place near the top of the competition receive prize money. Drum groups also compete for prize money.

The PowWow is organized by a PowWow committee

The pow wow committee is made up of a dedicated group of tribal members of the host tribe. Their work involves the bringing together of the drums, dancers, entertainment, food, crafts booths, and the administration of the Pow Wow grounds (parking, registration, camping, sanitation, sound system, and security).

Master of Ceremonies and Arena Directors

Once the Pow Wow begins, it is run by the Master of Ceremonies (MC) and Arena Directors. Different MCs have different styles and the choice of an MC greatly influences the feel of the Pow Wow. The MCs provide a running commentary of events, announcements, and most importantly background information about the dances, rituals and spirit of the PowWow. Instilling appropriate humor into the proceedings is also the work of the MC. The Arena Directors keep the event moving and manage the flow of activity in the arena. At any one time, they may be telling the drums who will play next and what kind of song to have ready, seeing to the accommodations of the judges, or organizing the dancers. It is an extremely active and important job.

How pow wows are judged

Judges are changed for each category and are chosen for their knowledge of the dance style and drum. They judge dancers on their style and form, regalia and ability to stay in time with the drum and stop on the final beat.