June 05, 2015 –
MAYETTA: It’s going to be a big weekend on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) with the Keepers of the Fire BBQ Contest and Festival at the casino and the PBPN annual powwow in Prairie Peoples Park.
The BBQ event will be held Friday night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the RV Park which is behind the casino building (12305 150th Road). The pow wow will run for three days with the first Grand Entry on Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. in the arena located inside the park at 150th & M Road.
Hundreds of dancers and several drum groups are expected to perform from all over Indian Country at the powwow that draws thousands of visitors each year. Several food vendors and arts and crafts booths have already reserved space for the powwow that will hold Grand Entries on Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Admission costs are $10 for the weekend or $5 daily. Persons over the ages of 60 or under 6 get in free as well as those with a Tribal ID. Parking is $5 inside the park and free outside the grounds.
The BBQ festival is free but to sample various BBQ entries BBQ Bucks are $1 at the gate. The BBQ team that earns the most BBQ Bucks will win the contest that will be announced at the end of the event. There will also be a Best Sauce Contest, Hot Air Balloon tethered rides (weather permitting) and live entertainment, food trucks, Classic Car Cruise, and a beer garden. In addition, there will be a kids zone that will including bounce houses and face painting. Free shuttles from the casino parking lot to the RV park will also be available.