By By Lisa Tindell
Organizers for the 39th annual Poarch Band of Creek Indians Thanksgiving Pow Wow were slightly disappointed in the number of visitors to the Tribal grounds last week.
Clayton Coon, coordinator for the two-day event, said the Iron Bowl game may have kept some visitors away.
Mild temperatures and sunny skies over the Thursday and Friday event didn’t keep everyone away, he said.
With more than 300 dancers competing for more than $20,000 in cash prizes the two-day event was filled with activity.
The raffle gave away $6,000 in cash and several Native American-crafted prizes on Friday afternoon. Coon said the raffle was new this year adding to the already large schedule of events.
One event that brought out many of the visitors on Thursday was the crowing of the Poarch Creek Princesses.
In the elementary division, Katelyn Lexi Daughtry, took the crown with Breiah C. Adams named as junior princess and Cortney Morris taking the crown in the senior division.
Coon said the only downside to the Pow Wow may have been parking issues.
Although parking may have been an issue for many people, Pow Wow event personnel made sure those who needed a ride to the gates got one.
Coon said plans are already under way for the 40th annual event scheduled for Thanksgiving 2010. The event, which began as a Tribal reunion, was originally held on July 4. However, due to constraints and weather conditions, tribal members opted to hold the event during cooler weather. The annual Pow Wow has been held on Tribal grounds located on Jack Springs Road in Atmore for 39 years with 38 events held on Thanksgiving Day. The second day of the Pow Wow’s events was added 15 years ago, according to Poarch Creek Tribal Chairman Buford Rolin.