Powwow Power : 6,000 Attend Indian-Themed Eagle Point Festival at Lake Casitas

If it were a movie, it would be called “Dances with Tourists.”

Hordes of camera-toting adventurers in search of weekend diversion found just the ticket Sunday at the Eagle Point Pow-Wow at Lake Casitas. The two-day festival--sort of a low-budget Renaissance Faire with an Indian theme--drew about 6,000 people, many from the Los Angeles area, and more than 50 Indians from several tribes across the country.

Under sunny skies and near 80-degree temperatures, families wolfed down buffalo burgers and Thai fried rice, strolled past vendors selling Indian-themed artifacts and tapped their toes to ceremonial songs and dances performed by American Indians.

Nearby, a troupe of actors staged a mock gun battle between outlaws and deputy marshals while children squealed and fathers taped the spectacle on their videocassette cameras. The good guys won.

Organizer Dick Wixon said he was pleased by the turnout for the event, which is in its second year.

“I don’t know if there’s more people than last year, but we have more vendors, more staff and more Indians this year. And that’s a good sign,” he said.

Although the powwow had serious competition--the Strawberry Festival in Oxnard and the well-advertised Renaissance Faire in San Bernardino County--most visitors said they were happy with what they found at the lakeside festival.

“Actually, we wanted to go to the Renaissance Faire, but my sister suggested this,” said Kelly Gillmore Star, 35, of West Los Angeles, who was with her husband and two young children.

“We’re having a good time,” Star said as she struggled to keep a grip on Maddy, her squirming 2-year-old daughter.

Eight-year-old Andy was still scowling because his mom and dad wouldn’t buy him a $12 arrowhead. “They’re the real thing, they’re real sharp, and he’s just too young,” explained his dad, Garry Star.

Besides an afternoon filled with dances performed by Indians in full ceremonial dress, more than 20 vendors sold turquoise and silver jewelry, animal pelts, shells, pottery and, of course, official Eagle Point Pow-Wow T-shirts.

A ceremonial pipe, made of elk antlers, leather, deer fur, brass, glass beads and feathers went for $240 (tobacco not included).

Huntington Beach resident Sandy Smiley, armed with a 35-millimeter camera to catch action shots, said the chance to observe Indian culture close up prompted her to come. She is studying Native American culture in a class at Orange Coast Community College and discovered that one of her classmates would be performing.

Smiley, 40, said she was also impressed that alcohol and drugs are banned from powwow events. “I think the powwows in general have a very positive, spiritual attitude and I like that,” she said.

Venturan Vicki Story bought her 7-year-old daughter, Sarah, a crystal bead ($1), an Indian maiden headband ($4) and a leather drum ($12). Although several Indian tribes live in her native Oklahoma, Story said, she never learned much about them.

“I’ve always been curious about Native Americans and thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more,” she said.