The Chicora-Waccamaw Tribe sponsored this non-contest powwow. Registered dancers had a chance of having their numbers drawn for day money each day of the event. Day money amounts ranged from $25.00 to $300.00. The luck of the draw determined that some dancers were awarded day money more than once, and some left empty-handed.

John Blackfeather Jeffries served as MC. Doug Logan and Vickie Diprosperi were head dancers. Ira Mitchell was arena director. Eastern Bull of Greenville, NC was host drum and Running Elk of Maxton, NC and the Edisto River Singers of Summerville, SC provided songs for dancers. Both Running Elk and the Edisto River Singers were absent Sunday.

Twenty-five craft vending booths and four food booths surrounded the dance circle.

A three-member Color Guard led 37 dancers into the circle during the Saturday noon Grand Entry. We counted 40 dancers at the 6:00 p.m. Grand Entry and 46 dancers at the Sunday 1:00 p.m. Grand Entry.

The Saturday afternoon and evening sessions were held in the exhibition building near the outdoor dance circle. The audience appeared to number approximately 100 to 200. The entire Loris area was inundated Saturday and Saturday night with rain. Sunday attendance increased dramatically because the sun came out and warmed the air considerably. Several hundred people attended the event Sunday.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Veterans were given special attention at this event, and Chief Harold Hatcher presented each veteran with a hand-carved and painted feather.

A few Eastern Woodland dances were performed, such as the Smoke Dance.

Dancers and drums were fed each day by the powwow.

THE DOWN SIDE:

The rain certainly hampered spectator attendance compared to the attendance last year. The necessity of moving the drums and dancers inside the exhibition building produced cramped conditions both for dancers and spectators.

The sound system was weak Sunday at the outside dance arena and occasionally the MC had to deal with not being heard and a fairly persistent buzz in the system.

CONCLUSION:

We rate this as an enjoyable powwow. Chief Hatcher and the Chicora-Waccamaw Tribal Council made every effort to provide a good experience for participants and spectators. The powwow staff was friendly and helpful to everyone there. Dancers, drums, spectators and powwow principals seemed to enjoy it and have fun. The pace of activity in the circle was a little slow at times, but could not be considered as dragging. As in years past, we found this powwow to be warm and friendly to all in attendance. It makes a fitting closure to the powwow season in North and South Carolina.