In this Park Facility
Delta Park Pow Wow and Encampment
Friday, June 16 - Sunday, June 18, 2023
Welcome to the 50th Annual City of Roses Delta Park Pow Wow and Encampment. The annual event, organized and produced by the Bow & Arrow Culture Club, is a Portland tradition that draws Native American, and non-native participants and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest to enjoy intertribal dancing, cultural exhibitions, arts and craft vendors, fry bread, and other delicious food.
After being away since the onset of the pandemic, the Delta Park Pow Wow and Encampment is back for 2023. Join us June 16-18, 2023 at East Delta Park. Portland Parks & Recreation is proud to host and support the Bow & Arrow Culture Club and all Pow Wow volunteers and attendees.
The event is a free and family-friendly celebration of Native American culture.
Pow Wow Details and Schedule of Events:
- Master of Ceremonies: Gibert Brown, Klamath/Paiute
- Arena Director: Carlos Calica, Warm Springs
Grand Entries:
- Friday, June 16: 7:00 pm
- Saturday, June 17: 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
- Sunday, June 18: 1:00 pm
Retired Colors:
- Friday, June 16: 10:00 pm
- Saturday, June 17: 10:00 pm
- Sunday, June 18: 6:00 pm
Drummers:
- Register on-site Friday, June 16 at 6:00 pm
- The first 10 registered "visiting " Drums are guaranteed drum-pay
- Drummers: Please bring your own chairs
Encampment:
- Registration opens Friday, 6/16at 9:00 am (21+ with valid ID required to register)
- Camping is limited to Pow Wow participants only
- Trailer space is reserved for Pow Wow participants who are traveling from afar
- No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed (strictly enforced)
- No dogs or pets are allowed. Please plan ahead
- Bow & Arrow Culture Club is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items
Delta Park Dog Off-Leash Area Closed
Delta Park's Dog Off-Leash Area is closed indefinitely due to maintenance issues
Effective October 2020
Delta Park and the Portland International Raceway were built on the site of the city of Vanport City, which was destroyed by a flood in 1948. Prior to its destruction, Vanport was the second largest city in Oregon. Vanport was constructed in order to house the thousands of war-time shipbuilders that Henry Kaiser, of Henry Kaiser Industries, had recruited from New York to help with the war effort. Vanport, which was constructed in under a year, was deemed 'The Miracle City.' It had its own post office, nine schools, a fire station, a 400-seat cafeteria, a 785-seat theater, a library, a hospital, fourteen playgrounds, five commercial centers, and a police station staffed by twenty-two officers.
The problem with this instant city was that the quality of housing and building construction left much to be desired. On Sunday, May 30, 1948, just one day after the general manager of Vanport announced that the city was "not in any foreseeable danger" from rising flood waters, a segment of the ring-like dike surrounding the city collapsed. A 12-foot wall of water rushed through the community, wiping out all of the poorly-constructed houses. The residents were never officially notified that they were in danger.
Delta Park has been the site of quite a bit of controversy over the years. In 1964 there were some hotly contested plans to build a domed stadium in the park. Had the plans gone through, the stadium would have been the largest of its kind, with permanent seating for 60,000 and temporary seating up to 80,000. The plans were not approved and we now have a place for all sorts of outdoor activities.
Since June 1970, the site has been host to the Annual Delta Park Powwow and Encampment event on the third weekend in June. The annual event, organized and produced by the Bow & Arrow Culture Club, is a Portland tradition that draws Native American, and non-native participants and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest to enjoy intertribal dancing, cultural exhibitions, arts and craft vendors, fry bread and other delicious food. The event is a free and family-friendly celebration of Native American culture.