Delta Park

Park
The participants of the 2018 Portland World Soccer Tournament at Delta Park
Delta Park is the largest public municipal sports complex in Portland. Since 1970 Delta Park is home to the longest running Powwow west of the Mississippi River.
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Delta Park Powwow and Encampment

The 2025 Delta Park Powwow and Encampment will be held Friday, June 20 - Sunday, June 22, 2025. More details will be added here as they are available. 

Thank you to all who joined us at the 2024 Delta Park Powwow and Encampment. Below are some details and information about the 2024 event. Thank you to the enormous cast of volunteers who help make the Delta Park Powwow and Encampment happen each year.   

A young man dancing at the 2019 Delta Park Powwow event at East Delta Park.

Welcome to the Annual City of Roses Delta Park Powwow 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.

Portland Parks & Recreation is proud to host and support the Bow & Arrow Culture Club and all Powwow volunteers and attendees.

The event is a free and family-friendly celebration of Native American culture.

2024 Powwow Details and Schedule of Events:

  • Master of Ceremonies: Gilbert Brown, Klamath/Paiute
  • Arena Director: Carlos Calica, Warm Springs

Grand Entries:

  • Friday, June 14: 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, June 15: 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
  • Sunday, June 16: 1:00 pm

Retired Colors:

  • Friday, June 14: 10:00 pm
  • Saturday, June 15: 10:00 pm
  • Sunday, June 16: 6:00 pm

Drummers:

  • Register on-site Friday, June 14 at 6:00 pm
  • The first 10 registered "visiting " Drums are guaranteed drum-pay
  • Drummers: Please bring your own chairs

Coronation of the next "Miss Indian Northwest"

  • Friday, June 14

Encampment:

  • Registration opens Friday, June 14 at 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
Year acquired
1950
Size in acres
87.47
History

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.

Park Location or Entrance

N Denver Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97217

Open hours

Park hours: 6am to 10pm

To reserve a sports field, call 503-823-2525

Upcoming construction

Construction completed in Winter 2021/22

Park amenities/activities

Picnic Table
Playground
Paths (Paved)
Soccer Field
Softball Field
Synthetic Turf
Volleyball Court

Park policy

  • All dogs must be leashed in this park.

Neighborhood

City section

North