The 91st Annual Crow Fair is being held August 13-17, featuring daily parades, rodeos, dancing contests, Pow Wows, and other competitions. Indians from throughout North and South America attend.
The Crow traditionally build the largest tipis (teepees) around and some of them still use them when traveling. The Crow Fair is the largest assembly of tipis in the country. As we drive around the surrounding area we often see piles of tipi poles leaning against ranch buildings or fences. Many who come to the fair bring their tipis, while others bring tents or trailers or stay in motels.
Crow women historically decorated their clothing with elk teeth. Today they may use the real teeth or manufactured replicas. We saw lots of evidence of that at the parade we attended Saturday. I can't tell you a lot about what we saw except it was a riot of color and very interesting.
Here are a few of the approximately 200 photos we took. Enjoy.
This little girl looks so proud, wearing her traditional clothes and sitting on a full-sized horse. The horse is being led by her mother. We saw many young children in the parade, with parents leading the horse.
Here is mom leading a horse with two young children on the Paint. I think the Paint horses are my favorite. We understand the Indians feel the same way.
This young Indian boy chose a motorcycle over a horse. What is the world coming to?
This young Indian boy chose a motorcycle over a horse. What is the world coming to?
Isn't his young Indian maiden in her traditional clothes, tiara and huge sunglasses about the sweetest thing you have seen?
Here is another example of mother and child. There is a real emphasis on teaching the traditions to the children here.
Both young and old women were riding on this float.
Notice the saddle on the roof of the truck. And don't you wonder how the driver sees to navigate the parade route? Many of the trucks were covered with blankets, scarves, emroidered and beaded pieces.
Here is one group of tipis.
This Crow Indian was wearing his feather headdress and many fine beaded items.
Here is another example of mother and child. There is a real emphasis on teaching the traditions to the children here.
Both young and old women were riding on this float.
Notice the saddle on the roof of the truck. And don't you wonder how the driver sees to navigate the parade route? Many of the trucks were covered with blankets, scarves, emroidered and beaded pieces.
Here is one group of tipis.
This Crow Indian was wearing his feather headdress and many fine beaded items.
Especially love the little ones in all their regalia. That's a parade I would love to see. I've been to a couple of hoop dancing competitions - are they doing that?
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