Northeast Queens residents will get the chance to sample Native American cuisine and watch a dance competition later this month as the Queens County Farm Museum hosts the 34th annual Thunderbird American Indian Pow Wow.
The event, which is the longest running and largest of its kind in the five boroughs, will be held from July 27 to 29 at the farm, which is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway.
Kristin Allocco, a spokeswoman for the farm, said the pow wow will give borough residents the opportunity to shop for Native American crafts and jewelry as well as sample everything from Navajo tacos to venison or alligator.
And the weekend celebration features a dance contest during which more than 40 Indian nations compete for scholarships.
“Native Americans come from all over the world to compete for scholarship funding,” she said.
Donna Ahmadi, who is part of the vendor committee for the pow wow, said nations taking part in the competition this year include Mohawks from Canada, Navajo and Cherokee from the southwest and the Shinecock from Long Island.
“The scholarships help Native American students who need money to go to college,” she said. “It’s a small amount, but it helps them with books and paying for courses.”
Ahmadi said the event was a big one for northeast Queens.
“It’s an important pow wow because a lot of people can’t travel and this one is pretty easy to get to,” she said.
Allocco said the weekend’s biggest crowds tend to turn out on Friday and Saturday evenings as bonfires are set at dusk.
Parking for the event is free, but entrance fees are $10 for adults and $5 for children, ages 12 and under.
A weekend pass for adults is $15, while one for children is $7.
Performance times for Friday are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday’s performances are from noon to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call 718 347-3276 or visit the Queens County Farm Museum’s website.
