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. It welcomes all Native American tribes of the Great Plains to its festivities, functioning as a "giant family reunion under the Big Sky." Indeed, it is currently the largest Northern Native American gathering, attracting nearly 45,000 spectators and participants.

Held annually the third week of August on land surrounding the Little Big Horn River near Billings, Montana, Crow Fair is very similar to that of a County Fair. It serves as a venue for the display of the region's arts and culture, from crafts to physical feats. There are contests for best jam, butter, and household goods, and activities such as woodcutting and games, often involving cash prizes.

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 traditionally includes its own unique version of a parade.

The parade begins each morning of the Fair at ten o'clock. The Color Guard leads the parade with retired veterans and active members of the armed services. Following the Color Guard are the President, Vice-President, and First Vice-President of the Crow Fair. The President carries the American Flag. In the past, the royalty of the Crow Nation would follow the Presidents; however, in modern parades the Crow Tribal Officials replace Crow royalty.

The majority of participants in the parade are essentially members of the Crow Nation, dressed 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 most technically proficient in the world.

The parade takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Crow Fair. The Sunday parade involves the greatest number of participants, and may extend as long as 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 dancing is the most fundamental form of celebration, as members may come to the dance arena simply for the pure joy elicited by dancing. However, pow-wows do often involve competition dancing.

[edit] Rodeo

The Crow Fair Rodeo is sponsored annually by the Crow Nation. The rodeo is a daily feature at the Crow Fair, offering a full day's 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 under 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 part 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. Campcriers are hired by candidates to notify the campground of their candidacy. Often, rumors are flying before and during the Crow Fair regarding which individuals will run for election for 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