FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Native American Festival at the Princess Place Preserve, members of Native American tribes from across North America gathered for one of the largest pow wows ever held in Flagler County.

Attendees remarked on the well-organized event which offered a variety of dining options to enjoy in between visits to the re-enactments, historical encampments, and demonstrations throughout the park.

The centerpiece of the weekend’s entertainment focused on the lineup of Native American dances that tell the stories of the tribes.

“Native Americans are not allowed to brag in public it’s a no-no, so the only way we have of telling people what we did was dance. We would dance in pantomime and show you the different things that we did while we were out hunting, while we were out on a work journey,” said Kiowa tribesman Duane Whitehorse.

Familiar faces like those of Cherokee Rick Bird and Whitehorse, are a staple at the Native American Festival alongside event organizer Jim Sawgrass, whose family has been involved since the inception of the festival.

Honoring veterans early in the ceremony each day, crowds stayed late on Sunday to see a final performance from Sawgrass’s son, 2019 world-champion hoop dancer Cody Boettner, and his protégé, who hopes to be a world champion herself.

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