Delta Park

Delta Park Powwow and Encampment The 2025 Delta Park Powwow and Encampment will be held Friday, June 13 - Sunday, June 15, 2025 .

More details will be added here as they are available. Thank you to the enormous cast of volunteers who help make the Delta Park Powwow and Encampment happen each year.

Welcome to the Annual City of Roses Delta Park Powwow and Encampment.

The annual event, organized and produced by the Bow & Arrow Culture Club, is a Portland tradition that draws Native American, and non-native participants and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest to enjoy intertribal dancing, cultural exhibitions, arts and craft vendors, fry bread, and other delicious food.

Portland Parks & Recreation is proud to host and support the Bow & Arrow Culture Club and all Powwow volunteers and attendees.

The event is a free and family-friendly celebration of Native American culture. For more information, visit the Delta Park Powwow Facebook page.

Please plan ahead.

2025 Powwow Details and Schedule of Events: Master of Ceremonies: Gilbert Brown, Klamath/Paiute Arena Director: Carlos Calica, Warm Springs Grand Entries: Friday, June 13: 7:00 pm Saturday, June 14: 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm Sunday, June 15: 12:00 pm Retired Colors: Friday, June 13: 10:00 pm Saturday, June 14: 10:00 pm Sunday, June 15: 10:00 pm Activities: Art and Craft Vendors Food Competition Dancing Rules and Reminders: All vendors must check in - contact uncibea@gmail.

Camping registration opens Friday, 6/13 at 9am (21+ with valid ID required) Security will be onsite: No alcohol, cannabis, or illegal drugs No smoking or vaping in Portland parks No pets allowed (service animals welcome) No firearms or weapons Bow & Arrow Culture Club is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Delta Park and the Portland International Raceway were built on the site of the city of Vanport City, which was destroyed by a flood in 1948. Prior to its destruction, Vanport was the second largest city in Oregon. Vanport was constructed in order to house the thousands of war-time shipbuilders that Henry Kaiser, of Henry Kaiser Industries, had recruited from New York to help with the war effort. Vanport, which was constructed in under a year, was deemed 'The Miracle City.' It had its own post office, nine schools, a fire station, a 400-seat cafeteria, a 785-seat theater, a library, a hospital, fourteen playgrounds, five commercial centers, and a police station staffed by twenty-two officers. The problem with this instant city was that the quality of housing and building construction left much to be desired. On Sunday, May 30, 1948, just one day after the general manager of Vanport announced that the city was "not in any foreseeable danger" from rising flood waters, a segment of the ring-like dike surrounding the city collapsed. A 12-foot wall of water rushed through the community, wiping out all of the poorly-constructed houses. The residents were never officially notified that they were in danger. Delta Park has been the site of quite a bit of controversy over the years. In 1964 there were some hotly contested plans to build a domed stadium in the park. Had the plans gone through, the stadium would have been the largest of its kind, with permanent seating for 60,000 and temporary seating up to 80,000. The plans were not approved and we now have a place for all sorts of outdoor activities. Since June 1970, the site has been host to the Annual Delta Park Powwow and Encampment event on the third weekend in June. The annual event, organized and produced by the Bow & Arrow Culture Club, is a Portland tradition that draws Native American, and non-native participants and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest to enjoy intertribal dancing, cultural exhibitions, arts and craft vendors, fry bread and other delicious food. The event is a free and family-friendly celebration of Native American culture.