WELLS — The Wells Chamber of Commerce and New Hampshire Inter-Tribal Native American Council have announced the dates for the 15th annual “Val Ranco” Pow Wow.
The festival, is to be held Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16, and will take place at Wells Harbor Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The annual event honors Valentine E. Ranco, known as Little Deer, who passed away in June 2008 at 96. She was born on the Penobscot Indian Reservation in Old Town in 1912 and, at the time of her death, was the oldest member of the tribe.
Her husband, Leslie J. Ranco, owned and operated the Indian Moccasin Shop on U.S. Route 1 in Wells for more than 50 years. The shop is now run by her daughter, June Lane.
The Pow Wow will include a multitude of activities for visitors to enjoy.
There will be dancing, drumming, flute music and performances by other acts. Spectators can enjoy a number of vendors, as well as storytelling, an auction and evening session. The Pow Wow will be hosted by Eastern Drum-Eastern Medicine, with guests Eastern Drum-Mountain Spirit and Eastern Drum-Medicine Bear. Emcee is Peter Newell.
Grand entry into the Pow Wow begins at noon Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children ages 6 to 12. There is no charge for children under 6.
The Wells Harbor Park Free Concert Series is teaming up with the Pow Wow and will feature the band “The Bel Airs,” described in a release from the Wells Chamber of Commerce as a danceable mix with a bluesy country-soul and rock and roll sound. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.
For more information about the annual Pow Wow, call Sandy at 603-651-8769.
Events include:
Saturday:
9 a.m.: Gates and vendors open
10 a.m.: Flute playing by various artists
11 a.m.: Storytelling
Noon: Grand entry
2 p.m.: Break events
3 p.m.: Resume dancing
5 p.m.: End dance session
Sunday:
9 a.m.: Gates and vendors open
10 a.m.: Flute playing by various artists
11 a.m.: Storytelling
Noon: Grand entry
2 p.m.: Break events
3 p.m.: Resume dancing
5 p.m.: Pow Wow ends
— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.
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