POST FALLS - Cynthia Sanders was mesmerized at the dancing in front of her.

The Julyamsh Coeur d'Alene Tribal Pow Wow captured the Coeur d'Alene 6-year-old at the Greyhound Park and Event Center so much on Friday night that she forgot about eating the snacks in her hand.

"This is the first time she's been to a pow wow," Cynthia's mother Jacklyn said. "I think she's really enjoying it, and I am too. It's good for her to see a cultural event such as this."

Post Falls senior Clarence Morris also basked at the action under the clear, sunny sky on the pow wow's opening night. The celebration of the horse and the rider - both in regalia - keeps bringing him back.

"I've made it out a few other times, and I'm always amazed at the colors and dress," he said. "The Grand Entry is neat to see. It's also interesting that so many tribes converge in one spot to carry on tradition."

His wife, Pamela, admires how the youth are incorporated into the dance routines.

"They start them out young, so they grow up knowing what their culture is all about," she said. "That's pretty special to pass on something from generation to generation."

For Spokane 17-year-old Brett Miller, the pow wow was a page out of the history book.

"To hear and read about pow wows is one thing, but to see one is another," he said, adding this was his first time attending one.

Julyamsh, which means the "gathering in July" in Coeur d'Alene tribal language and is the largest pow wow in the region, is a lot about sharing, seeing friends and creating new ones.

The historical significance of the event is that tribes would come together along the Spokane River to trade beads, fish, meat and berries.

But the pow wow is also about competition.

Dancers from tribes throughout the country are competing this weekend for $141,250. In addition to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, which features Head Man Mark Ramos and Head Woman Paulette Jordan, some of the other tribes represented include Cree, Blackfeet, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Spokane, Hochunk, Chippewa and Shoshone Bannock.

Julyamsh continues today from 9 a.m. to midnight. Grand entries will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Apache Skateboarders are slated to perform at noon and 5 p.m., while contest dancing starts at 2 p.m.

Sunday's schedule runs from noon to 10 p.m. with the grand entry at 1 p.m.

An art show featuring the work of about 30 Native American artists is also part of the event. A live auction starts today at 4 p.m.

The event is free, but parking is $5.