LOCAL EVENTS
The Sacred Springs Powwow returns to the Meadows Center this weekend, celebrating the culture of Native America with colorful dances, traditional drumming and engaging storytelling of the indigenous traditions in Texas. Over 100 dancers in hand-crafted regalia will compete Saturday and Sunday, while visitors will be able to shop for Native-American themed arts and crafts with more than 50 vendors.
“Powwows are joyful, spiritual and educational social gatherings for community- building, renewing friendships, honoring ancestors, and inspiring cultural and personal pride within indigenous communities,” according to organizer Bobbie Garza-Hernandez, a San Marcos native with Indigenous and Mexican-American roots. Pow- wows also provide a platform for artisans to market their work and for cultural exchange between tribes, Garza-Hernandez said.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Powwow at the Meadows Center, located on the shores of Spring Lake. This area is considered to be the longest continually inhabited (13,500 years) location in North America, as well as where the creation story of the Coahuiltecan people begins, according to Garza-Hernandez. Attendance has increased every year, with more than 7,000 guests in 2024. Seating under the main tent is limited, so guests are advised to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Among the dances to be performed are: the traditional grass dance, prairie chicken dance, women’s northern traditional dance, jingle dress, southern cloth, fancy shawl dance, women’s buckskin, traditional dance, fancy dance, grass dance and the straight dance, all accompanied by traditional drumming and songs.
In addition to the dances, songs and storytelling, a youth art tent will provide children the opportunity to create a piece of art of their own. The powwow’s Native Culture Tent offers presentations and lectures on Native culture and history.
The color guard will be presented by the Disabled American Veterans organization of Seguin.
The Meadow’s Center Conference Room will host free Coahuiltecan Language workshops at 1 p.m and 2:15 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m and 3:15 p.m on Sunday. The “Tracking the Earth’s Orbit using the Aztec Calendar” workshop at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday is an additional $30 charge (reservations recommended).
The Powwow starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning and 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. Both days end at 5pm with a closing prayer. For more information and the full schedule, visit https://www.sspowwow.com.
FREE parking is available at Bobcat Stadium (1100 Aquarena Springs Dr.) with 5-minute Shuttle Service to the Meadows Center. A chair-accessible van that will be available for those who are not comfortable using the shuttle bus.
The Sacred Springs Powwow is organized by the nonprofit, Indigenous Cultures Institute.
