By By MaryClaire Foster
What started as a reunion for Tribal members has grown into a thousands strong event every Thanksgiving.
The 38th annual Poarch Creek Indians Pow Wow will be held Thursday and Friday on the PCI reservation off of Jack Springs Road near Atmore.
Tribal Administrative Events Coordinator Mandy Peebles  agreed the Pow Wow is something the Tribe always looks forward to holding.
The Pow Wow includes several different activities throughout the day that deal with traditional Indian heritage and brings Tribes from throughout the nation to Atmore where they wear traditional regalia and perform traditional dances.
Also at the Pow Wow are roughly 45 vendors selling beadwork, basketry, quilts, silverwork and other craft items.
Along with a multitude of craft vendors, there are several food vendors.
Jackson said the Indian roasted corn, which cooked over oak wood fires on open pit grills, is one of the most popular items. There is also turkey and dressing, ham, fried chicken, fish, chicken and dumplings and barbecue available.
The Pow Wow festivities on Thanksgiving Day begin at 9:45 a.m. with the Oklahoma Creek Stomp Dancers performing.
At 10:45 a.m. the Poarch Creek Indians Pow Wow Club will perform different styles of dancing.
The Pow Wow Club was formed last year and is part of the Cultural Education Department. It has grown from 11 members last year to 25. The Club is made up of children who participate in performing dances in traditional regalia.
Following the Pow Wow Club performance, Mallory Young, the reigning senior princess, will be singing the National Anthem and Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin will welcome everyone. The Tribal youth will then give a presentation.
The annual princess contest begins at noon. The winning senior princess acts as an ambassador for the Tribe for a year.
Princesses are judged on individual interviews, competition dancing, their dress' and accessories' significance.”  
The grand entry follows the princess contest at 5 p.m. on Thursday and noon Friday.
The grand entry showcases intertribal dancing and a dance competition follows and lasts throughout the two days. At 4 p.m. the Oklahoma Creek Stomp Dancers will perform.
Tribal historic preservation officer Robert Thrower will be presenting cultural demonstrations Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Poarch Consolidated School.
Friday's mound activities will begin at 10 a.m. with the Oklahoma Creek Stomp Dancers and at 11 a.m. the Poarch Creek Indians Pow Wow Club will perform again.
The dance arena activities begin at noon with the intertribal dance and dance competition.
The Pow Wow concludes at 5 p.m. when dance competition winners are announced and awards are given.
Admission for the 38th annual Pow Wow is $5 for individuals ages 12 and above, $3 for children ages six to 11 and children age 5 and under get in free.