Powwow on tap for New Year’s Eve

December 29: Friends of Sobriety will bring back their annual New Year’s Eve powwow to celebrate 2023.

The powwow begins Saturday at 1 pm at the Muskogee Civic Center.

“We promote sobriety and provide a fun and safe event for the families that come,” said powwow coordinator Lorraine Bosin. “For little kids, all ages, grandma, grandpa, it’s for everyone and it’s free.”

It also helps continue and promote native culture while promoting sobriety, he said.

The powwow lasts for 11 hours, from the pumpkin dance to the competitive dance and the opening minutes of the new year.

The Pumpkin Dance will take place from 1-7 p.m., with a dinner break at 5 p.m.

The Grand Entrance will be at 7 pm It features flags of tribal nations, princesses, veterans and costumed dancers.

The powwow will feature several contest categories, including men’s fantasy, straight, traditional, grass, women’s buckskin, women’s wear, jingle dress, and fancy shawl combo. There will also be a 60+ Golden Ager Dance, a Junior Dance for ages 6-16, and a Tiny Tots Dance.

The dancers come from all over the state, Bosin said.

Muskogee-based artist Dana Tiger will host a Legacy Children’s Art Contest.

“She sets up a table for the kids, then picks several contest winners,” Bosin said. “It’s something kids can do. They can be creative.”

Bosin said he couldn’t put his favorite part down.

“All day and night is the best. It’s hard to pick a particular part of the powwow,” he said.

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