Dancers to Compete at Annual Powwow

More than 12,000 visitors are expected to attend the seventh annual Lake Casitas Pow Wow on Saturday and Sunday, a popular event that features Native American food, music and dancing.

The highlight of the powwow, a championship competition among dancers from more than 40 tribes throughout the United States and Canada, has become a magnet for the best Native American dancers in North America, organizers said.

Competitors in categories--ranging from women’s, men’s, grass, traditional and fancy dances--vie for cash prizes. Teens and junior dancers compete in their own contests.

Ventura County schoolchildren will have a chance to explore Native American culture Friday, the day before the official start of the powwow, during Native American Day.

At workshops for third- through 12th-graders, the students will learn about Native American food, music, clothing, customs, language and religion.

The powwow runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It includes dancing, an arts and crafts market, food booths, camping, fishing and boating.

Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children under 12. Children under 3 get in free. Camping is available at Lake Casitas campgrounds. Reservations are required. Call 649-1122 to reserve space.

Both events are sponsored by Visions in Time Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving American culture and history through living history presentations. For information, call 496-6036.