Always held the weekend after Labor Day, the 35th Annual Trail of Tears Pow Wow is here — set for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville.
Authentic vendors, competitive dancing, the beating of drums. And a deep, rich Native American history, all held on the hallowed grounds of Christian County.
For Kristina Scott, educator at the Heritage Center, it’s a time for tribal tradition and a place where old and new can come together.
This year, she said the Pow Wow will have everything everyone expects, but also comes with a surprise.
Another major feature Scott wants visitors to see this year: a painted mural on the Pow Wow shed. It was designed by Hopkinsville artist Jennifer Bowman and completed by 12 youths through a camp offered by the Pennyroyal Arts Council, and was revealed in July.
Simply put: it’s breathtaking. Scott said the students paid homage to Native American culture in their “Cherokee Phoenix” creation, using colors appropriately and with nuance.
Dancing competitions, of course, comprise most of the weekend — with grand entries planned for 1 PM and 6 PM Saturday, and 1 PM Sunday. Large cash prizes are available for a wide variety of age groups and dance types. Scott noted the “fancy dances” tend to be her favorite of the weekend.
Scott also gave a nod to Timothy Moss, who over the years has helped anchor the event and spread the word to other Native Americans across the country — sharing the news of a west Kentucky Pow Wow that remains prominent and popular.
Scott, herself, will be at the Heritage Center cabin throughout the weekend, helping to share the history and education of the park’s history and Christian County’s role along the Trail of Tears displacement from 1830 to 1850.
Brooke Jung, executive director for Visit Hopkinsville, said vendors and campers have been rolling into the area since early Tuesday morning — with excitement brimming into the weekend. Festivities actually begin Friday, with the annually anticipated “School Days” kicking off some of the fun.
Located at 100 Trail of Tears Drive, adult admission is $10. Children ages 7-12 are $5. Children 6 & under, as well as the parking, remain free.
A full schedule of events can be found at visithopkinsville.com.
