The Stanford Powwow, which began Friday, May 12 in the Eucalyptus Grove near the Stanford Stadium, continued through the end of the weekend to celebrate Native American culture.

Among patches of grass and large Eucalyptus trees, families and friends showed off their intricate clothing and danced to festive Native American songs.

Dancing contests will be held all three days and will include men, women and children, ranging from the “Tiny Tot Special” to the “Men’s Southern Straight.”

Dances will generally be from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Stanford Powwow is sponsored by the Stanford American Indian Organization. The event’s goal is to improve and continue participation in Native American culture.

Friday night was the opening dancing session, where men, women and children danced together with special feathered and colorful Native American outfits.

Dakota McGurk, a participator in the dancing competition, said he has been taken part in Powwows for about five years. At this powwow, he will be competing in the “Teen Boy’s Grass” competition where the first prize winner earns $400. He was wearing a Prairie Chicken Dance outfit, which he wears as he travels around the world to dance in powwows.

“My favorite part is the inter-tribals,” McGurk said.

One of McGurk’s competitors, Nathan Martin, who is a member of the Oneida tribe, said he came from Arizona State with his friend to participate in the Stanford Powwow.

“[The Stanford Powwow] has a reputation of being one of the better powwows, and this year the timing was right,” Martin said. “It’s great just seeing a lot of familiar faces from around the country and meeting new people.”

His outfit consisted of a roach with feathers, an apron, wrist wear, a harness and side drops. He explained men who have been dancing longer have more beads on their side drops than he does.

The dancers are not the only participants in this powwow. The Indian Art Market, where vendors sell jewelry, hats, clothing, wind catchers and other Native American products, is a large attraction at the event.

Virginia Boone, who sells national Navajo healing products at the Stanford Powwow, said she travels around the country to sell her products at events such as these.

Boone explained that there used to be three powwows in the area that occurred in the same month, including De Anza, Stanford and Casa de Fruta.

However, this is the first year where these three powwows have been scheduled at different times, making it difficult for merchants.

“We used to stay the whole month,” Boone said. “Now we are just staying the weekend.”

Despite this change, a wide range of merchants have come to the Stanford Powwow along with many dancers to participate in this annual celebration of Native American culture.