The Standing Bear Pow Wow, hosted by the six north-central tribes of Oklahoma, begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23.

The Pow Wow features inter-tribal dancing, exhibition dancing, contest dancing, tiny tot contests and the crowning of the Standing Bear Princess.

Visitors will also find a variety of arts and craft vendors, along with a wide variety of food vendors.

This free event in Ponca City is open to the public and often considered one of the most significant American Indian events in the United States.

The Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa tribes gather to celebrate their tribal heritage with contest dancing, singing, drumming and more.

The Standing Bear Powwow begins with gourd dancing at 6 p.m. Friday, a wide variety of traditional tribal dances, princess selection, tiny tots contest and golden age contests. The Grand Entry is at 7 p.m. with native dancers in full regalia.

Saturday starts with Gourd Dancing at 1 p.m., specials (afternoon only) and Saturday evening meal, which is served free to the public. It generally consists of corn soup and fry bread.

The pow wow arena sits adjacent to the 63-acre Standing Bear Park & Museum, on the southern edge of Ponca City. Parking and camping spaces are free.

For more information, call (580) 762-1514.