The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation will present the colorful pageantry of Pow Wow dancing and the rugged wrangling of rodeo competition this weekend for the 35th Annual Orme Dam Victory Days, Nov. 18-20.

Native American Pow Wow dancers will compete with four programs beginning Friday evening, Nov. 18. Gourd Dancing begins at 6 p.m. with Grand Entry at 7 p.m.

On Saturday there will be two sessions with the first Gourd Dancers beginning at 11 a.m. followed by Grand Entry at 1 p.m. An evening event will start with Gourd Dancers at 6 p.m. and Grand Entry at 7 p.m.

Gourd Dancers begin at 12 noon on Sunday, Nov. 20, followed by Grand Entry at 1 p.m.

Men and Women will compete in the All Indian Rodeo beginning on Friday, Nov. 18, with slack at 8 a.m. each day.

Competition performances will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The events include bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling and tie down roping.

Women will compete in barrel racing and breakaway roping.

Beyond these feature events the Orme Dam Victory Days Parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. The Parade route is along Fort McDowell Road between Ba Hon Nah Road and Yuma Frank Road.

Other sporting competition taking place for the celebration includes softball, basketball, volleyball and golf tournaments, as well as a 5K run.

There are also cultural activities at the Yavapai Village including a Bird Dance competition on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m.

Orme Dam Victory Days were established to commemorate the Yavapai Nation’s success in dissuading the Federal Government from building Orme Dam at the confluence of the Salt and Verde rivers, a facility that would have inundated nearly all of the Fort McDowell community.

The public is welcome to attend, and all activities are free with a $5 parking fee.