28th Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow Set for May 16–17 in Marksville

Building A Better Avoyelles is proud to be a Hawk Level Sponsor for this event!

The 28th Annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow will take place May 16–17, 2026, at the Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville. The indoor event will feature traditional dancing, competitions, vendors, and cultural activities for all ages.

Event Details

Dates & Times:
May 16 & 17, 2026
Gates open Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.

Location:
Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center
Paragon Casino Resort
Highway 1, Marksville, LA 71351

Admission

• General Admission: $8
• Adult Weekend Pass: $15
• Children (ages 5–12): $5
• Dancers admitted with assigned numbers

Lodging Information

Reservations are available through Paragon Casino Resort by calling (800) 642-7777 or faxing (318) 240-6601.
Pow Wow Participant Hotel Rate Code: TBM14GR

Dance Competition Categories

Competitions will award three places in each category.

Golden Age (Ages 55+)

Men’s & Women’s Northern and Southern categories
Prizes: $700, $500, $300

Senior Adult (Ages 36–54) & Junior Adult (Ages 20–35)

Men’s: Traditional, Straight, Grass, Fancy
Women’s: Cloth, Buckskin, Jingle, Fancy
Prizes: $700, $500, $300

Men’s Chicken (Ages 17+)

Prizes: $700, $500, $300

Teens (Ages 13–19) & Juniors (Ages 7–12)

Boys: Traditional, Straight, Grass, Fancy
Girls: Cloth, Buckskin, Jingle, Fancy
Prizes: $300, $150, $75

Tiny Tots (6 years & under)

Held Saturday and Sunday

Entry Fee:
$8 for dance competition participants
No fee for Tiny Tots or Gourd Dancers

Committee Specials

• Men’s Straight Special in honor of John D. Barbry: $500, $300, $200
• Two Committee Mystery Dance Categories: $500 winner takes all (each)
• Hat and Boot Special (Men & Women): $500 winner takes all (each)
• Two Singer Hand Drum Specials (Northern & Southern): $500 winner takes all (each)

Grand Entries & Registration

Grand Entries:

• Saturday, May 16: 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 17: 12:00 p.m.

Registration (Dance & Drum):

• Saturday, May 16: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Online Registration:
https://pci.jotform.com/form/260435520314042

Vendors

The Pow Wow will feature more than 30 food and craft vendors.

Vendor Contact:
Paulette Voiselle
pvoiselle@tunica.org
(800) 272-9767 ext. 6400

Pow Wow Education Day

A free, open-to-the-public Youth Education Day will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center.

The event will include:

• Pow Wow and hoop dance demonstrations
• Singing and storytelling
• Flute performance
• Food and craft vendors

Contact for group reservations:
Elisabeth Pierite
(318) 240-6432
elisabeth.pierite@tunica.org

2026 Pow Wow Head Staff

• Head Lady: Nicole Pavatea-Santos (Apache, OK)
• Head Man Dancer: Tony Wahweotten (Mayetta, KS)
• Arena Director: Bill Takes Horse (Colbert, OK)
• Head Dance Judge: Randy Frazier (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Head Gourd Dancer: Jake Rivers (Many, LA)
• Northern Host Drum: Meskwaki Nation (Tama, IA)
• Southern Host Drum: Pawnee Yellow Horse (Pawnee, OK)
• Co-Emcee: Rob Daugherty (Jay, OK)
• Co-Emcee: Tim Tall Chief (Jones, OK)

Invited Drums

• Mato Pejuta (Santee, NE)
• Ottertrail (Apache, OK)