The sounds of drums and singing and the movement of dancers will once again bring Native American traditions to life in Fayetteville during the 2026 Running Water Powwow. The annual cultural celebration returns Friday, Sept. 4, and Saturday, Sept. 5, at 200 Indian Drive in Fayetteville. Open to the public, the two-day gathering invites Native and non-Native community members to experience a weekend centered on dancing, singing, fellowship, and the sharing of cultural traditions.
Organized by the Running Water Organization, the Running Water Powwow brings together Native dancers, singers, drum groups, artisans and community members from throughout the region. For organizers, the gathering is about more than competition and entertainment. The Running Water Powwow committee works to create educational opportunities centered on Native American traditions while encouraging cultural exchange with the greater community. Throughout the weekend, visitors will have an opportunity to experience competitive dancing, powerful drum performances, and other family-friendly activities. The event also provides a gathering place where songs, stories, and traditions can be shared across communities and generations.
This year's head staff includes MC JD Moore and Arena Director Brad Locklear, with sound provided by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Tehya Maiden will serve as Head Lady, and Darian Bemo will serve as Head Man. Junior Head Lady is Giuliana Raineri-Smith, with Cristian Martinez serving as Junior Head Man. Josh Gibbs will serve as Head Judge. Scuffletown Society will serve as the Host Drum.
Competitive dancing will include participants across a wide range of ages, from the powwow's youngest dancers to its elders. Dancer registration categories include Tiny Tots, ages 0 to 5; Juniors, ages 6 to 12; Teens, ages 13 to 17; Adults, ages 18 to 49; and Golden Age, ages 50 and older. On Friday, Sept. 4, gates open at 8 a.m. Dancer registration begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by Grand Entry at 7 p.m. The celebration continues Saturday, Sept. 5, with gates opening at 8 a.m. Dancer registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and Grand Entry is scheduled for noon.
Grand Entry is traditionally one of the most visually striking moments of a powwow, bringing dancers into the arena together and formally beginning that portion of the gathering. For visitors attending a powwow for the first time, it can provide an opportunity to see the variety of regalia, dance styles, and generations represented within the Native community.
While experienced powwow attendees will find plenty that is familiar, organizers are also extending the invitation to those who have never attended one before. Dancers, singers, vendors, photographers, families, and first-time visitors are all welcome to take part in the weekend. That openness reflects one of the central purposes of the Running Water Powwow: creating a place where Native traditions can be celebrated within the community while also providing opportunities for others to learn, listen, and experience those traditions firsthand.
In a region with deep Native American roots and a vibrant contemporary Indigenous community, gatherings such as the Running Water Powwow demonstrate that these traditions are not simply pieces of history. Through the drums, dances, songs and people who gather in the circle, they continue to be practiced, shared and passed from one generation to the next.
The 2026 Running Water Powwow takes place Sept. 4-5 at 200 Indian Drive in Fayetteville. Admission is $10, and the event is open to the public. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578607749176.