Crow Fair
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The Crow Fair was created in 1904 by an Indian government agent to bring the Crow Tribe of Indians into modern society. The early years of Crow Fair very similar to that of a County Fair. There contestants from best jam, butter, and household goods to woodcutting, cash prizes, and games.
However, the Crow Fair after being reunited by two separate and distinct bands, the Crow Tribe of Indians began to hold the Crow Fair.
Contents |
[edit] August 2006
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 Lawn Mowing Day |
13 Moving Day |
| 14 | 15 | 16 Rodeo Slack |
17 Crow Day Rodeo |
18 Parade Rodeo Dances Horserace |
19 Parade Rodeo Dances Horserace |
20 Parade Rodeo Championships Dances Horserace |
| 21 Parade Dance Dance of the Seasons |
22 Election Day |
23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
[edit] The Parade
The Crow Fair has the traditional parade, which is not like other parades or when someone thinks of a parade.
The Parade starts every morning at 10 o'clock. The Color Guard leads the parade with retired veterans and active members of the armed services. After the Color Guard, the President, Vice-President, and First Vice-President of the Crow Fair lead the parade. The President also carries the American Flag. In the past, the royalty of the Crow Nation would follow the Presidents, however, the Crow Tribal Officials come after Presidents.
The Parade is essentially members of the Crow Nation dressing in traditional wear with eagle feathers, warbonnets, old-time saddles, western saddles, reservation hats, and extravagant beadwork. The beadwork of the Crow Nation is among the finest in the world.
The parade takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Crow Fair. The Sunday Parade has the most participants in the parade, which reaches nearly 1.5 miles in length.
[edit] Dance celebration
Crow Fair hosts one of several dance celebrations. The Crow dance celebration, commonly known as a pow-wow, is held every late afternoon and evening during the fair. The Crow Nation makes the distinction that a dance celebration is most traditional form of celebration as members come to the dancing area for the satisfaction of dancing. Pow-wows are known for the modern contest dancing.
[edit] Rodeo
The Crow Fair Rodeo is sponsored annually by the Crow Nation. The rodeo is daily feature at the Crow Fair offering a full-days entertainment of youth events, professional Indian cowboys and cowgirls, and horseracing. Rodeos occur throughout the United States through the various rodeo associations like the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The Northern Plains Indian Rodeo Association, organized unde the Indian National Finals Rodeo, is the current association that sanctions the rodeo event.
The Crow Fair Rodeo is held at the Edison Real Bird Memorial Complex, in Crow Agency, Montana. The rodeo arena, race track, stables, and campgrounds are all apart of this complex.
[edit] Committee
On the last day of the Crow Fair week, the Crow Nation annually elects a new committee to organize the next Crow Fair Dance Celebration, Rodeo, and Racemeet. The Tuesday morning and afternoon is filled with campcriers and announcers telling the campgrounds via megaphone of the candidates. The campcrier is hired by a particular candidate to notify the campground of one's candidacy. Often, rumors are flying before and during the current Crow Fair of individuals wanting to be elected to the committee.
Current officers of the Crow Fair Committee 2006
General Manager: Dean Pretty on Top
Rodeo Manager: Clay Three Irons
Racing Commissioner: Vance Crooked Arm
Secretary:
Treasurer:
President:
1st Vice-President:
2nd Vice-President:
Crow Fair Royalty
Miss Crow Nation: Teri Lea McCormick
Miss Crow Fair Rodeo:Allyson Knows His Gun
Jr. Miss Crow Nation: Allyssa Big Man
Jr. Miss Crow Fair Rodeo:Taylor LaFrance
Valley of the Chiefs District Princess: Orlanda Birdinground
Black Lodge District Princess: Carleann Jefferson
Big Horn District Princess: Natasha Reed
Reno District Princess: Kererra Pretty Paint
Arrow Creek District Princess: Kylie Medicine Horse
Mighty Few District Princess: Callie Real Bird
Off-Reservation District Princess: Tysha Glenmore
[edit] External links
- Crow Fair Article
- The Elsa Spear Byron Collection Crow Celebrations (photographs from 1911 to the 1950s)
