21st Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Pow Wow Starts Friday

The 21st Annual Morongo Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow starts at 4 p.m. Friday at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.

Hosted by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the three-day event is a celebration of Native American dance, music and culture, with participants and tribal representatives from across the United States and Canada.

Hundreds of competitive dancers and drummers are expected, and thousands of people are planning to attend.

Each day will feature Color Guard Grand Entry parades, followed by flag ceremonies, then dance and drum contests, according to an event schedule.

"There are no 'spectators' at a Pow Wow," Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin and tribal council members said in a welcome statement. "All who attend are regarded as participants. Each of us has a place in the circle of people. Within this circle there is no beginning and no end. This coming together is at the heart of the traditional Pow Wow."

Admission to the Morongo Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow is free.

The Morongo Indian Market will feature traditional food and craft vendors.

Grand Entries are scheduled at 8 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Scheduled event hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

For more information, visit 2011powwow.

To view images from last year's pow wow, or to follow a live webcast of the 21st Annual Moronogo Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow, visit www.powwows.com.

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is at 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon.