Powwow returns to King, mayor participates

KING — Last weekend, just a day or so after Tropical Storm Debby moved through North Carolina, a successful King City Powwow was held.

“It went well,” said Patrick Suarez, who co-directs the annual event, the 2024 version of which was held Aug. 10 and Aug 11 in the barn at the King American Legion on Main Street.

“We had over maybe 1000 people to attend it, had over 75 dancers and 15 vendors,” said Suarez, explaining that flooding in other areas of the state prevented some from participating.

In addition to the Grand Entries performed twice on Saturday and once on Friday, the powwow featured Aztec Dancers and several dance specials including a flute special, Missing and Murdered Women’s Jingle Dance and a Friendship Dance.

Suarez estimated that they also donated about 150 pounds of canned food to the local food bank thanks to those who brought two or more cans of food in exchange for a $2 discount on a $10 ticket.

“I’m trying to see if we can make it free to the public next year,” said Suarez, who hopes to work further with both the Stokes and Forsyth County arts councils as well as the City of King.

King Mayor Rick McCraw attended the powwow on Saturday and Sunday and said Mayor Pro Tem Jane Cole also attended on Sunday.

“I think they really, really enjoyed it and they want to keep it in King,” Suarez said. “That meant a lot to let us know that the city is in support of the powwow.”

McCraw confirmed that he indeed enjoyed the event.

“It was fantastic,” said McCraw, who owns and plays a Native American flute and actually participated in the flute contest at the powwow.

“Of course, I didn’t win,” he said. “But I had fun.”

McCraw said he asked a lot of questions to learn about the various Indigenous cultures and was particularly touched by a dance commemorating lost loved ones.

“It was just heart moving,” he said.

“A lot of people think it’s just for the Native Americans or Indigenous people, but it’s for anybody,” McCraw said.

“It was really a neat experience. People don’t know what they’re missing by not going.”