The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation will celebrate this weekend, Nov. 20-22, with its Orme Dam Victory Days including the pageantry of the Pow Wow and thrill of the rodeo competition.

The Pow Wow activities begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, with a Gourd Dance followed by the Grand Entry at 7 p.m.

This will be followed Saturday, Nov. 21, by Gourd Dancing at 11 a.m. at 6 p.m. and Grand Entry at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Pow Wow competition will continue on Sunday, Nov. 22, with Gourd Dancing at 12 noon and Grand Entry at 1 p.m.

The public is invited to come out and enjoy colorful pageantry of this competition during any of times listed.

The All-Indian Rodeo competition begins with an early slack at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, and on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Rodeo performances are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday with the final short-go on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 12 noon.

The rodeo performers will be competing in bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, ladies barrel racing, ladies breakaway, ladies team roping and senior team roping.

The Pow Wow and rodeo take place at the Rodeo Grounds off Highway 87 about three miles east of Shea Boulevard just past the Verde River. There is a $5 parking fee with free admission to all events.

The Orme Dam Victory Days activities will also include cultural displays at the Yavapai Village, cultural performances, the annual parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, carnival rides, a 5K run/walk, authentic arts and crafts, American Indian foods, the golf tournament at We-Ko-Pa Golf club, the popular basketball and softball tournaments.

Native American people from all across the continent converge on Fort McDowell to take part in the competition and celebration.

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation hosts the annual Orme Dam Victory Days to celebrate the tribe’s victory in resisting the federal government’s efforts to displace the community to build Orme Dam at the confluence at the Verde and Salt rivers. The project would have inundated the tribal land, displacing most of the residents.

Detailed information about the events and activities is available on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Community web site, www.fmyn.org.