The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi will close out the summer in grand fashion this weekend, as the tribe hosts its 32nd annual Kee–Boon–Mein–Kaa Pow Wow at its arena on Rodgers Lake, 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac.

Gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with Grand Entries, the formal start of dancing and songs, taking place at 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and at noon on Sunday. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors may park outside the Rodgers Lake campground, and walk or ride a free shuttle to the pow wow arena.

The Pokagon Band, headquartered in Dowagiac, has hosted the annual competitive Pow Wow for more than three decades. Leaders originally organized the event at St. Patrick’s County Park in South Bend before moving it to its property in Dowagiac more than a decade ago.

The late summer/early fall is a particularly important time to members of the Potawatomi nation, as “Kee–Boon–Mein–Kaa” is Potawatomi for “I have quit harvesting huckleberries.”

“This is a traditional time for the tribe to give thanks and to celebrate the harvest,” said Paige Risser, director of communications with the Pokagon Band.

Throughout the past 32 years, the event has grown into a massive celebration that attracts hundreds Native Americans from throughout the United States and Canada. Dressing in traditional tribal regalia, participants in the various judged dance and singing demonstrations will entertain spectators sitting in arena while competition for thousands in prize dollars.

“[The pow wow] is a highlight of the year, not just for the Pokagon Band, but for other tribes in the Great Lakes region,” Risser said. “People look forward to it for months ahead of time.”

New to this year’s competition are special mother-son and father-daughter dance competitions, which take place on Saturday.

In addition, the tribe is organizing its first ever Little Mr. and Ms. Pokagon competition, open to children between 7 to 12 years old who are members of the tribe. On top of their dancing ability, the young competitors will be judged based on their knowledge of Potawatomi language, culture, and history. The winners will go on to serve as representatives of the tribe at various events and pow wows throughout the region.

The weekend always draws out thousands of spectators, with crowds comprised of tribal and nontribal citizens alike. In addition to the singing and dancing, visitors will have a chance to enjoy Native American food and purchase handmade crafts and gifts from more than 30 vendors surrounding the arena.

With beautiful weather in the forecast this weekend, Risser is encouraging people from throughout the community come out to the Pow Wow, especially those who have never experienced Potawatomi culture before, she said.

“It’s always a welcoming and accessible event, and a great way to learn and have fun,” Risser said.