Prior Lake, Minn. – Drawing nearly 1,000 Pow Wow dancers and thousands more visitors annually, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Wacipi will unite the people and traditions of Indian Country from Friday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 21. The public is invited to join in this celebration at the Wacipi Grounds, located at 3212 Dakotah Parkway in Shakopee, near Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

A Wacipi (pronounced “wah-chee-pee,” a Dakota word meaning “they dance”) originated from traditional gatherings of tribes held to celebrate the end of a season, a good hunt, or another positive event. The SMSC Wacipi includes a variety of competitive Pow Wow dance categories, such as Fancy, Jingle, Traditional, and Grass, as well as vendors of Native American crafts and food, such as wild rice and fry bread. Dancers and drum groups from around the United States and Canada will take part.

The Wacipi weekend includes:

  • Aug. 19
    Pow Wow Grand Entry at 7 p.m.
  • Aug. 20
    Grand Entry at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
    Evening meal (included with $10 button) at 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Fireworks at 10 p.m.
  • Aug. 21
    Grand Entry at 1 p.m.

Wacipi buttons will be available for $10 at the gate. The button will cover admission for the entire weekend and an evening meal on Saturday. Admission and the Saturday evening meal will be free for everyone ages 60 and older or 10 and younger (no button required). On-site parking will be free, and golf cart shuttles will be available to help attendees who need assistance to the gate. For more information and directions, visit smscwacipi.org or facebook.com/shakopeepowwow.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Making its top priority to be a good neighbor, the SMSC is one of the top 10 philanthropists in Minnesota and donates more to charity than any other Indian tribe in America. It also focuses on being a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County.