Park also cited the changing economy and the increasing costs of presenting the event as reasons for its demise. He stated it’s a trend that has occurred elsewhere as well.
“We have seen a demise in a large number of Pow-Wows,” he said.
He pointed out similar events once held in St. Paris and at Kiser Lake are gone now, and there are none being held in the immediate area.
The Paw Paw Moon Pow-Wow was held a few times in Urbana before it moved to Enon for a couple years and ultimately to George Rogers Clark Park, according to Clark County Park District Executive Director James Campbell.
He said with the demise of the event, there is “probably no big impact (on the Park District), other than it’s something that’s been there for a long time … so some folks who may have come to the park (for the Pow-Wow) won’t be coming.”
Campbell did say the Pow-Wow, like many events at the park, gave the Park District part of its proceeds.
At one time, Campbell said, the Pow-Wow drew crowds of over 1,000 people, and it was one one of the largest events held at George Rogers Clark Park — second only to the Fair at New Boston.
Park, who is a Shawnee Indian, said he’s sorry to see the end of Pow-Wow.
“It really gets me. It’s just like old home week going away,” he said. “(But) a lot of people just aren’t interested like they used to be.”
He stressed there’s a spiritual aspect to the Pow-Wows. The dances were celebrations of various activities of life, like when to start a crop.
“Paw Paw” is the Shawnee name for the moon at this time the year.
Park also believes the event was educational for the general public.
“The sacred drums and dances drew the people out,” he said.
But he was thankful for such a long run.
“The Ohio Native Ancestral Association thanks the public for their support over the years,” Park said. “We’ll miss them.”
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