San Bernardino to hold Native American festival

  • 2024-07-23
The California State University in San Bernardino will organize a fest and dance competition in September.

The San Manuel Pow Wow is a multi-day event and contest that features performances from Southern California bird singers, drum singing groups, and North American Indian dancers. The festival began in 1996 and currently offers more than $250,000 in cash prizes to contestants. There are several competition categories, such as Men’s Dance, Women’s Dance, Youth Drum Contest, and the Cruz Chacon Memorial Sweetheart Special for couples.

Festival attendees will get to browse multiple vendors who sell Native American goods. All businesses featured at the San Manuel Pow Wow will be owned by Native American artists. Those who apply for a booth space must provide proof of their Native American heritage. Each vendor must bring their own fire extinguishers to the fest and are prohibited from starting campfires. People can also find authentic Native American food products at the event.

The cultural experience will be held from Friday, September 20th to Sunday, September 22nd. Those interested in camping at the event can set up their tents on Friday at 8:00 am. The camping spaces are available to those who arrive first. There will be shower facilities available at the venue. Universities that hold similar festivals to this may use poster printing to advertise the activities to the public.