For two full years, The Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Pow Wow has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And this summer the celebration is back!
What is a Pow Wow?
The name of the event came from the Narragansett language, from the word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader", and was picked up by the English-speaking colonists, who called it any meeting of Indians, and then any meeting at all, especially on a high level.
The modern Pow Wow is a cultural event that brings together representatives of tribes from all over the continent in order to compare their skills in drumming, song and, most importantly, dance. They speak unrelated dialects, but they are all united by the language of dance. Sometimes the Pow Wow is held as a competition with a prize fund, and sometimes it is just indicative. A celebration usually lasts from a few hours to three days, but the grandest gatherings can last up to a week.
Both men and women perform traditional dances here. Especially popular and impressive are the male Grass and the female Jingle - the differences, of course, both in rhythm and movements, and in the sacred sense.
What is The Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Pow Wow?
Before answering this question, let's find out who this person is, after whom the outstanding celebration is named.
Marvin Curry aka "Joe"served in the US Navy, fought the Koreans and Vietnamese in the wars of the same name. This man held various positions in the Seneca Nation's Snipe Clan and Iroquois Post #1587 and after 47 years of impeccable military service ended their military career, with a lot of honors.
This celebration also has an official name – the Seneca Casino Veteran’s Pow Wow - and represents a festival with competitions, which is traditionally held once a year on the 3rd wknd of July and is dedicated to those who bravely defended their country in the ranks of the American army.
Dates/prices
Actual dates: 16-17 June
Venue: 526 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY, 14779, Veterans Memorial Park
A visit to the celebration, only on one of the days, will cost $5 for people from 5 to 17 years old, $10 for people 18+, and $5 for people 60+.
A two-day pass costs $10 for those aged 5 to 17, $15 for those over 18, and $10 for those over 60.
Free entry for veterans and active duty military with ID and for children under 4 years of age.
For those who wish, dance registration is available, the cost is $10. The participation in the program is on July 16 from 2 pm to 6 pm, and on July 17 from 10 am to noon.
Author: Richard Hayes, senior editor of Mybestcasino.ca/
