Drawing nearly 1,000 Pow Wow dancers and thousands more visitors annually, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Wacipi will unite the people and traditions of Indian Country from Friday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 21. The public is invited to join in this celebration at the Wacipi Grounds, located at 3212 Dakotah Parkway in Shakopee, near Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.
A Wacipi (pronounced “wah-chee-pee,” a Dakota word meaning “they dance”) originated from traditional gatherings of tribes held to celebrate the end of a season, a good hunt, or another positive event. The SMSC Wacipi includes a variety of competitive Pow Wow dance categories, such as Fancy, Jingle, Traditional, and Grass, as well as vendors of Native American crafts and food, such as wild rice and fry bread. Dancers and drum groups from around the United States and Canada will take part.
The Wacipi weekend includes:
August 19: Pow Wow Grand Entry at 7 PM
August 20: Grand Entry at 1 PM and 7 PM; evening meal (included with $10 button) at 4:30-6:30 PM; Fireworks at 10 PM
August 21: Grand Entry at 1 PM
Wacipi buttons will be available for $10 at the gate. The button will cover admission for the entire weekend and an evening meal on Saturday. Admission and the Saturday evening meal will be free for everyone ages 60 and older or 10 and younger (no button required). On-site parking will be free, and golf cart shuttles will be available to help attendees who need assistance to the gate. For more information and directions, visit smscwacipi.org or facebook.com/shakopeepowwow.