The pulsing rhythm of drums, the powerful vocals, the jiggling of bells — all sounds that heralded the kickoff of yet another time-honored traditional celebration of the harvest by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.

The tribe hosted its 31st annual Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Pow Wow this weekend, bringing out hundreds of Native American dancers and singers from across the U.S. and Canada to its pow wow arena off Rodgers Lake. Hundreds more attended the festivities, watching on from the stands as participants competed in various dance contests throughout the weekend.

Kicking off the festivities was Saturday’s grand entry, when the various dancers all assembled, led by various tribal veterans holding the ceremonial eagle staffs. The stands of the pow wow arena were packed as hundreds witnessed the opening event.