Get Ready- 28th Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow Set for May 16–17 in Marksville (original) (raw)
Building A Better Avoyelles is proud to be a Hawk Level Sponsor for this event!
The 28th Annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow will take place May 16–17, 2026, at the Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville. The indoor event will feature traditional dancing, competitions, vendors, and cultural activities for all ages.
Event Details
Dates & Times:
May 16 & 17, 2026
Gates open Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Location:
Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center
Paragon Casino Resort
Highway 1, Marksville, LA 71351
Admission
- General Admission: $8
- Adult Weekend Pass: $15
- Children (ages 5–12): $5
- Dancers admitted with assigned numbers
Lodging Information
Reservations are available through Paragon Casino Resort by calling (800) 642-7777 or faxing (318) 240-6601.
Pow Wow Participant Hotel Rate Code: TBM14GR
Dance Competition Categories
Competitions will award three places in each category.
Golden Age (Ages 55+)
Men’s & Women’s Northern and Southern categories
Prizes: 700,700, 700,500, $300
Senior Adult (Ages 36–54) & Junior Adult (Ages 20–35)
Men’s: Traditional, Straight, Grass, Fancy
Women’s: Cloth, Buckskin, Jingle, Fancy
Prizes: 700,700, 700,500, $300
Men’s Chicken (Ages 17+)
Prizes: 700,700, 700,500, $300
Teens (Ages 13–19) & Juniors (Ages 7–12)
Boys: Traditional, Straight, Grass, Fancy
Girls: Cloth, Buckskin, Jingle, Fancy
Prizes: 300,300, 300,150, $75
Tiny Tots (6 years & under)
Held Saturday and Sunday
Entry Fee:
$8 for dance competition participants
No fee for Tiny Tots or Gourd Dancers
Committee Specials
- Men’s Straight Special in honor of John D. Barbry: 500,500, 500,300, $200
- Two Committee Mystery Dance Categories: $500 winner takes all (each)
- Hat and Boot Special (Men & Women): $500 winner takes all (each)
- Two Singer Hand Drum Specials (Northern & Southern): $500 winner takes all (each)
Grand Entries & Registration
Grand Entries:
- Saturday, May 16: 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 17: 12:00 p.m.
Registration (Dance & Drum):
- Saturday, May 16: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Online Registration:
https://pci.jotform.com/form/260435520314042
Vendors
The Pow Wow will feature more than 30 food and craft vendors.
Vendor Contact:
Paulette Voiselle
pvoiselle@tunica.org
(800) 272-9767 ext. 6400
Pow Wow Education Day
A free, open-to-the-public Youth Education Day will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center.
The event will include:
- Pow Wow and hoop dance demonstrations
- Singing and storytelling
- Flute performance
- Food and craft vendors
Contact for group reservations:
Elisabeth Pierite
(318) 240-6432
elisabeth.pierite@tunica.org
2026 Pow Wow Head Staff
- Head Lady: Nicole Pavatea-Santos (Apache, OK)
- Head Man Dancer: Tony Wahweotten (Mayetta, KS)
- Arena Director: Bill Takes Horse (Colbert, OK)
- Head Dance Judge: Randy Frazier (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Head Gourd Dancer: Jake Rivers (Many, LA)
- Northern Host Drum: Meskwaki Nation (Tama, IA)
- Southern Host Drum: Pawnee Yellow Horse (Pawnee, OK)
- Co-Emcee: Rob Daugherty (Jay, OK)
- Co-Emcee: Tim Tall Chief (Jones, OK)
Invited Drums
- Mato Pejuta (Santee, NE)
- Ottertrail (Apache, OK)