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HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – The Hopkinsville Christian County Trail of Tears Commission invites the public to the 27th Annual Pow Wow at the historic Trail of Tears Commemorative Park on US Highway 41 in Hopkinsville, KY.

The event will be held Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 and is located on the actual trail and encampment site used during the forced removal of the Cherokee people from 1838-39.

This year’s Pow Wow will be at the Park in the new performing arena, giving a new look and feel to the Pow Wow, plus the benefit of easier access and more parking.

On Friday, The Trail of Tears is partnering with the Pennyroyal Arts Council to bring Martha Redbone to the historic Alhambra Theatre. This independent Music-Award winning musician of Cherokee, Choctaw, Shawnee and African American descent will perform at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25.

The Pow Wow begins Saturday when the gates open at 10 a.m. The Grand Entries (where all competitive dancers in full regalia ceremonially enter the arena) are at 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday and at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Enjoy dance competitions, Native American drumming and singing, Native American arts and crafts, Cherokee storytelling, Flint Knapping, Tipi Displays, Indian foods, Flint Knapping, and authentic Native American Indian dance competitions with contestants in full Native American regalia. Visitors have an opportunity to see a wide variety of Native American made products, clothing, jewelry, footwear, art, memorabilia, and food.

Native Americans travel from all over the United States and Canada to participate in these dance competitions provided at the Trail of Tears Pow Wow, competing for over $15,000 in prize money. Men’s dance competitions are traditional, grass, straight, golden age, and the fancy dance. Women’s competitions are in buckskin, fancy shawl, jingle, cloth, and golden age. Junior competitions for male and female dancers 11-16 years old and youth dance competitions for boys and girls ages 6-10, along with the ever-popular tiny-tot competitions for boys and girls 5 and under are also held.

For more information, visit www.trailoftears.org.