10 Must-See Cherokee Powwow Photos

The annual Cherokee powwow over the 4th of July weekend is the biggest powwow on the east coast, awarding winning competitors over $60,000 in prize money.

"It's a celebration of life," says organizer Daniel Tramper.  "Coming to a powwow, you come into a lot of different cultures, including different tribes like Navajo, Cherokee, Apache, and Iroquois. At the powwow, these different tribes come together to celebrate life and keep their culture alive," he says.

Above all, it's the good spirit in the powwow that brings everyone together, Daniel says. 

If you didn't get the chance to attend this year's powwow, you can enjoy the photo roundup from the three-day event. Oh, and don't forget to book your accommodations for next year's powwow around the 4th of July holiday weekend, so you can join in on the fun!

(All photos by Kristy Herron.)

(Above: Grand Entry march.)

(Above: Junior Miss Cherokee greets the crowd.) 

(Above: Tiny Tots dance)(Above: Tiny Tots dance)​(Above: Tiny Tots dance)​(Above: Women's Golden Age)(Above: Men's contest)(Above: Men's contest)
(Above: Women's contest)
(Above: A dancer's elaborate headdress.)