TEMECULA, Calif. — (December 2022) – The Pechanga Tribe announces the return of its revered and often-asked-about Pechanga Pow Wow. The free, three-day event takes place inside Pechanga Resort Casino’s Summit Events Center Friday, January 6, Saturday, January 7 and concludes Sunday, January 8. Spectators and tribal participants from across North America are expected to descend on Pechanga Resort Casino 20th Pechanga Pow Wow. Guests of Pechanga Resort Casino and those in the community will be treated to a free fireworks display on Fri., January 6 beginning at 7 p.m.
“We are excited to bring back our pow wow,” said Andrew Masiel, Sr., President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “It’s going to be a little different than previous years since it will be indoors. Our pow wow will be the first of 2024 and one of the best places on the west coast you can bring your family to experience real American Indian dancers and drum groups. We look forward to once again celebrating and sharing the powwow with our broader region.”
Filled with tribal singing, dancing, Native American food and artisan crafts, the Pechanga Pow Wow has historically been one of the largest in the entire western United States and is a free, interactive and educational cultural event for all ages. Non-native spectators can become part of the experience and join in the pow wow’s round dances and social dances throughout the three-day weekend. Each year on, the Pechanga Band of Indians also puts on a free fireworks show rivaling any at the top amusement parks and sports stadiums. The pyrotechnics show will be set off from the Journey golf course back nine area and will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, January 6. For more information on the 20th Pechanga Pow Wow, call (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com.
Pechanga Leadership put the pow wow on hiatus starting in 2015 due to the construction of the resort/casino’s $300 million resort expansion. The pandemic precluded plans to host it in 2020 or 2021. Pow Wow planning consists of a myriad of logistics and takes many months. Pow Wow officials decided to hold the event inside due to the possibility of cold or inclement weather. The Pechanga Summit Events Center provides built-in seating for spectators – the same seating used during concerts performed in the venue.
Many who came to the Pechanga Pow Wow before 2015 regarded it as one of the best chances on the west coast to get a real glimpse into the culture and customs of Native Americans. Thousands of pow wow dancers dressed in traditional regalia and acclaimed singers and drummers from tribes across Canada and the United States set the stage for the three-day celebration. Food plays an important part in the Pechanga Pow Wow offering visitors their first tastes of sweet and savory Indian frybread, buffalo burgers, spicy succotash and other authentic Native American fare.
For pow wow singing, dance, drum and peon games contestants, the competitive spirit often emerges with a share of nearly $125,000 in prize money at stake. Many spectators say some of the show’s most impressive dancing and drumming happens at the beginning of each day with the Grand Entry.
Bleacher-style seating is available for the public to watch dancing and other events that happen inside the pow wow arena. Visitors are welcome to bring low-backed chairs and blankets to view the fireworks show from the Pechanga Reservation festival grounds. Parking is free throughout the Pechanga Resort & Casino and pow wow festival grounds premises and complimentary shuttle service will be provided to and from the festival site and the resort.