POST FALLS - The beat goes on for Julyamsh.

Dances, contests, an art show and a special guest from the National Football League are part of the powwow hosted by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe that starts today at the Greyhound Park and Event Center.

"Julyamsh shows the life of our traditions and culture, both of which are enduring and as strong as ever," said Cliff SiJohn, cultural affairs director at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel.

"The importance of Julyamsh and all such gatherings lies in the renewal of spirit that we enjoy and share with friends."

Levi Horn of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, who played football at Rogers High School in Spokane, and the University of Montana is now a lineman for the Chicago Bears, and will be a special guest tonight and Saturday.

"He's a guest of honor," said Shaina Nomee, cultural awareness assistant at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel.

Horn will be available for meet-and-greet sessions from 7:30-9:30 tonight and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The 6-foot-7 Horn was in Plummer earlier this week for a youth football camp.

The powwow starts at 8 a.m. today with art exhibits and vendors. The drum roll call is at 6 p.m., followed by the horse parade at 6:30 p.m. and grand entry at 6:50 p.m.

Dancing starts at 8:10 p.m.

Admission to Julyamsh, which means "gathering in July," is free. Parking is $5. It has drawn as many as 40,000 visitors over the weekend.

Drum roll calls, followed by horse parades and grand entries, start at noon and 6 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

More than 1,000 dancers and 55 drum groups representing tribes from across the country are expected to participate.

There will be about $145,000 in total cash prizes.

The Northwest Painted Face American Indian Art Show and Auction is another attraction.

It will feature the work of more than 30 artists including Ric Gendron, Troy Sice, Roberta White, Terrance Guardipee, Lauren Good Day Frank and George Flett.

The show will include sculptures, jewelry, beadwork and paintings.

Proceeds from work submitted for the live auction at 4 p.m. Saturday will benefit Shriner's Children's Hospital of Spokane.

Throughout the show artists will demonstrate their talents, including a live portraiture done by Jean Taylor, a member of the Teslin Tlingit Nation in the Yukon and the Tlingit Haida Tribes of Alaska.

"She loves drawing people of their culture in their rich colorful regalia dancing and celebrating life," a press release said.

Taylor exhibited at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Her painting "Conversation" was presented to the Federal Minister of Justice this year.

Artist booths will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Julyamsh at a glance

Where: Greyhound Park and Event Center, Post Falls

Cost: Admission is free; parking $5.

Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday

Events: Art auction, horse parades, grand entries, dancing, crafts, vendors, special performances