On the heels of a powerfully moving and highly successful 2012 Sacred Springs Powwow, the San Marcos Arts Commission voted on October 17th to fund the 2013 event, confirming the strong support from the City of San Marcos for this extraordinary, spiritually inspiring, and unique event.
"The date for our 2013 Powwow isn't set yet," says Dr. Mario Garza, Indigenous Cultures Institute board chair. "Texas State University has moved to a new football conference this year and their schedule hasn't been confirmed yet. We don't want to hold the Powwow on the same date as a football game because we need the parking at Bobcat Stadium."
The new football conference schedule will be generated by March 2013. Tentatively, the Institute anticipates that the 2013 Powwow date will be either September 28 or October 5.
In the meantime, the Institute has been busy documenting the success of this year’s Sacred Springs Powwow, held on October 6th. Over 100 Native American dancers, artists, and food vendors participated in this extraordinary cultural celebration set along the shores of Spring Lake. At least 6,517 people attended, with 67% coming to San Marcos from other Texas cities.
"It was so gratifying to see the outpouring of support for our Sacred Springs," says Aaron Pyle, powwow coordinator. "Everyone was feeling the spiritual effect of an outdoor powwow set in a sacred place."
The Institute collected almost 1,000 pounds of food as part of the admission fee to the Powwow. The event charged adults $2.00 or two cans of food for the local Hays County Food Bank and collected one of the largest donations for a one-day event, according to food bank representatives.
“I was really surprised when we loaded the cans of food into my pick-up truck,” says Dr. Garza. “The food filled up the entire eight-foot bed of my truck!”
The Institute intends to continue this beneficial partnership with the Hays County Food Bank for each year of the Powwow.
The Powwow also drew a large number of partners for this event, as evidence of the growing and wide spread support for this signature event. This year’s funders and sponsors included: City of San Marcos, San Marcos Arts Commission, Texas State University, Tomblin Family Foundation, Hays County Commissioner Precinct 1 Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Pendleton Outlet, Central Texas Medical Center, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, Heritage Association of San Marcos, Starbucks Coffee Company, Hays County Food Bank, and Grande Communications.
For more information and updates on the 2013 Sacred Springs Powwow please call (512) 393-3310 or visit: www.IndigenousCultures.org.
Tomblin Family Foundation
