June 06, 2013 –
MAYETTA: Excitement was in the air today as last minute preparations for this weekend’s pow-wow were being made in the park today.
A new sign has been placed above the arena stage that was constructed by Gunzy Wahquahboshkuk who works in the Construction/Maintenance Department.
Construction/Maintenance crews also built stairs that are located on the east side of the arena. The camera angle is facing west and into the arena grounds.
Ben Joslin, IT director for the PBPN, and Junior Wahweotten, Tribal Council member, check out the audio system to get the sound just right for this weekend’s activities.
Building Maintenance workers (left to right) B.J. Jones, Waskeh Littleaxe, Sam Mitchell, Tim Mendez, and Andrew Pahmahmie take a break after working in the park.
Food vendors are already pulling in to get ready for the pow-wow that officially begins tomorrow night. Jim Harvey, PBPN electrician, reported to the News that seventeen new vendor outlet posts have been installed and five new street lights in that section will provide safer and easier navigating for people.
The free parking lot, that is located on the west-side of M Road, will also be temporarily lighted for the weekend.
Construction/Maintenance crews took a lunch break today at the cook shack before going back to work.
Taking a breather before getting back to the grounds to finish up last-minute details.
A new highlight for pow-wow visitors this year is new outdoor exercise equipment that was recently installed by (left to right) Eddie Joe Mitchell, Cody Wilson, and Jason Davis. Arrow Levier, summer youth worker (not pictured), also helped construct the equipment that is located in the camping area east of the We-Ta-Se Memorial. Mitchell and Wilson work for the Diabetes Program and Davis is in the Lands Department.
The Diabetes staff demonstrates how to work out on the Angle Bar and Hurdle Exercise equipment. Two more stations are planned for construction this summer. Wilson (in red hat) demonstrates hurdling while Melinda Williamson (in pink shoes) and Mitchell work out doing push and pull ups. Williamson is also with the Diabetes Program.
We-Ta-Se American Legion Post #410 member Roy Hale was also photographed getting that booth decorated and ready. We-Ta-Se will post colors during each Grand Entry and are big participants at the pow-wow every year.
Several campers have already pitched tents and were out enjoying the cool and cloudy day. Weekend temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s.
Tonight is a camp night with a sloppy joe potluck at 6 p.m. and the princess contest that begins at 6:30 p.m.
The pow-wow begins tomorrow with grand entries at 7 p.m., Sat. at noon and 7 p.m. and Sunday at noon. General admission weekend passes are $10 with $10 inside- park parking or $5 daily with $5 inside-park parking. Over $100,000 in cash prizes for dancing and drum contests will be handed out.
In addition, the Prairie Band Casino & Resort is hosting the 3rd Annual Keepers of the Fire BBQ contest that will kick off with a BBQ tasting Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the contest on Saturday which is a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event. The contest will be held behind the casino building in the RV park. Several other activities are planned as well.
For details go to www.pbpgaming.com or www.pbpindiantribe.com