ITHACA, N.Y. -- Student members of the Cornell University Powwow Committee will host the biggest powwow and smoke dance to date at the university in Barton Hall Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, beginning at 10 a.m. on both days.

The Sixth Annual Cornell Powwow and Smoke Dance competition is free and open to the public. Parking also is free, and visitors are encouraged to use the parking garage next to Schoellkopf Field. For more directions, parking and powwow information, visit this Web site: http://www.rso.cornell.edu/powwow/ . For additional information, call (607) 255-1919 or (607) 255-0652, or e-mail powwow@cornell.edu .

The public also is invited to attend an Iroquois Social at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, in the Noyes Community Center on Cornell's West Campus.

Although the Barton Hall doors open at 10 a.m. on both days, the powwow begins, each day, with a Grand Entry, the colorful and stirring procession of dancers into the dance arena. Led by the North American Iroquois Veteran's Association color guard, this year's Grand Entries will occur at noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, and at noon on Sunday, April 18.

More than 500 singers and dancers representing many different Native American nations in the United States and Canada will perform in both social and competitive dances. Competitive dance categories include: Men and Women's Senior, Traditional (Northern and Southern), Fancy Dance, Fancy Shawl, Jingle Dress, Grass Dance and Smoke Dance. More than $10,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category.

The drum groups are the heart of all powwows, and this year's host drum is Whitetail Cree from Moose Lake, Ontario. Invited drums are Kingbird from Red Lake, Minnesota, and Whistle Chant from Six Nations, Ontario. Native American arts, crafts and foods also will be available from more than 30 vendors.