CdA Tribe hosts annual Julyamsh

Organizers of the annual Julyamsh powwow this weekend are expecting large crowds and plenty of dancing as the popular event welcomes days of balmy weather.

The annual Native American powwow is set to begin Friday evening, moving through Sunday, as tribes and people of non-tribal heritage across the region gather to celebrate culture, dancing, music and food.

Quanah Matheson, emcee and director of culture at the Coeur d’Alene Casino, said he expects a larger crowd than last year, mostly due to the powwow moving back to the final weekend of July. Last year, it was the third weekend.

“When you change it, it kind of throws everybody off,” he said.

Like last year, Matheson expects between 600 to 800 dancers of all ages participating in a variety of categories for thousands of attendees.

In addition to the live show, vendors will also have wares for sale underneath the fairground bleachers.

The National Weather Service predicts highs in the high 80s to mid-90s throughout the weekend in Coeur d’Alene, with a 0% chance of precipitation.