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First ever Boots & Moccasins weekend set for June 15-17 at Evergreen Park

Apr 18, 2018 | 5:31 PM

June 15 through 17 will be a busy time at Evergreen Park.
 
It will mark the first Boots & Moccasins weekend.
 
The Western Chuckwagon Association will be racing at Gordon Badger Stadium Friday through Sunday, while the second annual Grande Prairie Pow Wow will take place at the ENTREC Centre on the 16th and 17th.
 
Pow Wow Committee Chair Walter White thinks the ENTREC Centre is the perfect place to hold this event.
 
“I’m a firm believer that this will be the largest showcase of Indigenous culture ever to hit Grande Prairie. We’re looking to grow in future years and to partner up with Evergreen Park is just amazing.”
 
White says he started the Pow Wow because he thought there was a lack of Indigenous events in Grande Prairie. He adds both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are invited.
 
“(They are) more than welcome to (attend). In fact, last year we had what we called a Caucasian special and it was a truly wonderful event where we had a lot of great sports, a lot of non-Indigenous friends come participate and it was probably the highlight of our pow wow. It was a lot of fun and we’re looking forward to having that this year.”
 
Western Chuckwagon Association President Dean Dreger says he’s excited.
 
“It’s a new opportunity to showcase our sport and our western heritage, (the) western way of life in conjunction with the pow wow and our home Evergreen Park as well.”
 
Dreger says this will replace Guitars & Wagons.
 
“Guitars & Wagons is no longer with us, but we were lucky enough to keep the Pomeroy Group involved in supporting us in this venture.”
 
The name Boots & Moccasins was one of 125 submissions in a naming contest Evergreen Park ran on Facebook.