Julyamsh Returns to Kootenai County Fairgrounds July 21 & 22

WORLEY, Idaho (June 26, 217) — Dancers, drum groups, food concessionaires, tribal artists and craftspeople return to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds July 21 and 22 for Julyamsh, “The Gathering in July,” one of the largest powwows in the nation.

The powwow will be located at the fairgrounds for the second year in a row after a brief hiatus. For almost two decades, it has been not only among the largest, but among Indian Country’s most popular summer events.

“The fairgrounds proved to be a fantastic new home for Julyamsh last year and we are excited to continue the relationship this year,” said Francis SiJohn, CEO of Coeur d’Alene Casino. “Everyone is hard at work preparing, it’s sure to be a great year.”

With $120,000 in prizes for a variety of dance categories and for the drums, Julyamsh is a major destination among participants. In fact, they will come from all across the U.S. and Canada to participate and compete.

“We can expect between 600-800 dancers again,” said Yvette Matt, Powwow Director.

Some 25-30 drum groups can also be expected, also representing U.S. tribes and Canadian bands from across the continent. The Host Drum will be provided by Bull Horn, Blood Tribe.

Coeur d’Alene Casino’s Cultural Affairs Director, Quanah Matheson, will return as a master of ceremonies. Other Coeur d’Alene tribal members directly involved include Head Man Dancer Franky Skwanqhqn and Head Woman Dancer Stephanie Reynolds.

Grand entries are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Horse parades, with horses and riders in full regalia, will precede each grand entry at 12:30 p.m. Artificial turf is being laid in the dance area, ensuring a dust free two days.

Vendors serving food and drink as well as arts and crafts, authentic native works and memorabilia will be set up to serve guests throughout the weekend.

Admission to Julyamsh is $10, children 12 and under are free. For more information visit Julyamsh.com or call 1-800-523-2464.

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About Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel
Since 1993, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has operated the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, located where sky greets Mt. Tch’mutpkwe, source of the St. Joe River, 25 miles from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  The resort casino is among the largest employers in North Idaho employing between 1,000-1,200 depending on the season and contributing more than $24 million to education in the region since it opened.  Additionally, millions more have gone in support of a wide range of public projects, emergency relief, charities and programs in the Pacific Northwest. The property features 300 rooms and suites, seven distinct restaurants and lounges, 100,000 square feet of gaming space offering more than 1,600 video gaming machines, high stakes bingo and off-track betting, a 15,000 square foot luxury spa voted 1^st for “Resort spas that deliver the Ahh Factor” by Spatrips.com (2012), and Circling Raven Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 course acclaimed as a “Top 100” course by every major golf publication in the U.S.  Like Coeur d’Alene Casino on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.  For more information about Coeur d’Alene Casino, visit www.cdacasino.com.