2024 Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow
2024 Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow
Annual Event’s 1st Year at New Location
Do you have plans for July 20th and 21st? If not, you do now! We’ll look forward to seeing you at the Seneca Allegany Casino Event Center for the Annual Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow - the first year at its new location! Typically taking place across from Sander’s Market, the Powwow is seeing some big changes to coincide with all the usual favorites. The Powwow Committee gave ellicottvilleNOW all the details.
eNOW: What sparked the change of location for this year’s Powwow?
POWWOW: This year the Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow is taking place at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino Event Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd., Salamanca, NY. For many years the Powwow occurred on a natural grass football field at Veterans Park in Salamanca. During the COVID hiatus, the grass in the park was replaced with artificial turf. After the Powwow resumed in the park in 2022 and 2023, many dancers notified the Powwow Committee’s Arena Director that the artificial turf is too hot to dance on comfortably in the month of July. The Powwow Committee listened to the dancers and took action by moving the venue to the Event Center where the dancers now will be dancing in a climate-controlled environment.
eNOW: What is the cost to attend?
POWWOW: This year the Powwow will occur on Saturday, July 20th with Gates Open at 10:00am and Grand Entry at 1:00pm, and on Sunday, July 21st with Gates Open at 10:00am and Grand Entry at noon. There are no online pre-sale tickets this year. Tickets will be available to purchase at the gate. Veterans and children ages 0-4 will receive free admission. A single-day pass for youth (ages 5-17) is $5; elder (ages 60+) is $5; and adult (ages 18-59) is $10. Weekend (two-day passes are: youth $10; elder $10; and adult $15.
eNOW: Can you give us some insight on the activities, demos and entertainment planned for this year?
POWWOW: A “Social” consisting of social songs and dances is scheduled for Friday evening, July 19th at 6:00pm at the vending area outside and adjacent to the Event Center. There will be no charge to attend the Social. During the Social many of the craft and food vendors will be open for business. During both days of the Powwow there will be an Artist Demonstration tent sponsored by the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center where Seneca and other Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) artists and storytellers will offer presentations.
The 40th Anniversary of the Jim Thorpe Longest Run will be recognized with past participants of the run being honored during a portion of the Powwow. The Jim Thorpe Longest Run occurred in 1984 when a group of Native runners ran across the country from New York City to Los Angeles, site of the 1984 Summer Olympics, to bring attention to the restoration of Jim Thorpe’s Olympic medals which previously had been stripped away. Another purpose of the run was to support the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team that was playing in the World Games in Los Angeles in 1984.
eNOW: As this is a family friendly event, what will younger members of the family enjoy?
POWWOW: The Powwow is family oriented and is a drug-free and alcohol-free event. Younger family members might particularly enjoy watching the Tiny Tots Dance Contest (dancers 4 years old and younger). Oftentimes, some of the vendors offer face painting for the kids.
eNOW: Who will be participating at this year’s Vendors Mark and what will they be offering?
POWWOW: There will be approximately 40 craft vendors who primarily offer Native arts and crafts as well as crafting supplies. Some examples of items for sale include beaded jewelry, carvings (wood, antler, etc.), pottery, woven baskets, clothing such as ribbon skirts and moccasins, and more. All of the craft vendors are members of a federally recognized nation or tribe and only quality Native American goods may be sold (e.g., knock off goods from out of the country are not allowed).
eNOW: How about food and beverages?
POWWOW: A variety of food and beverage choices will be available. Some vendors will offer traditional Native food favorites such as frybread and corn soup, while other vendors will offer more modern fare such as is often found on a carnival or fair midway like pizza, nachos, etc. There will also be desserts offered such as ice cream and strawberry shortcake.
eNOW: What do you feel makes the Powwow as special as it is?
POWWOW: It is a chance to reunite and reconnect with friends and family from across North America who annually converge on Allegany Territory for the Powwow. Also, it is a chance for us to share aspects of our Native culture with our Western New York neighbors who attend.
eNOW: Perhaps the most anticipated event at the Powwow that draws in spectators are the smoke dances…
POWWOW: The Powwow puts on one of the biggest smoke dance contests in North America. The smoke dance is a traditional dance of the Haudenosaunee (the Iroquois) and is very popular at the Powwow. The fast spins that are part of the dance resemble curlicues of smoke, hence the name.
Take some time to experience and learn about another culture while also having fun. The Annual Marvin “Joe” Curry Veteran Powwow is a great opportunity that the whole family can enjoy and appreciate. It may be in a new location but it’s still the same phenomenal cultural celebration it has always been. Learn more at senecapowwow.org.
