COEUR d’ALENE — A whirl of colors and textures moved throughout the Jacklin Building at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Friday night. Regalia sequins sparkled and feathers bobbed up and down, following the movements of their dancers, in sync with the drum beats and song.

Little kids danced next to their parents, uncles and elders, imitating their sharp movements and stomping the best they could.

The 2016 Julyamsh kicked off Friday night with the grand entrance, featuring tribal royalty and all the competing dancers.

“I’m really excited. This is summertime and that means powwow season,” said Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan. “We get to see family and friends from other tribes after having not seen them all winter.

That’s what’s really important, is being here with your family and bringing laughter and having a good time.”

At its new location this year, Julyamsh is hosting more than 400 dancers from tribes all across the country and Canada. The event is expected to draw upward of 60,000 spectators over the weekend.

Coeur d'Alene Casino cultural affairs director, and master of Julyamsh ceremonies, Quanah Matheson, said he felt excited and happy Julyamsh was able to come back this year. After a two-year break, the show is back on the road.

Unfortunately, a rainstorm prevented the powwow from being held outside Friday night and the horse parade contest was moved to Saturday. Friday night’s grand entrance was held in the Jacklin Building. The rest of the weekend’s festivities and competitions will be held outside at the fairgrounds.

At the start of the grand entry, the flag bearers and tribal royalty lead all the competitors around the arena. Elder men from all the tribes present were next, followed by the rest of the men and then by the women.

All the different types of dance style were represented — Grass Dance, Fancy Dance, Jingle and Traditional. Throughout the weekend, dancers will be judged based on professional opinion of style, beadwork and the respect in which one carries him/herself.

North Star Lawrence, Little Miss Coeur d’Alene; and Kyra Antone, Miss Coeur d’Alene, represented the Coeur d’Alene Tribe as tribal royalty. Head dancers Kyle Davis and Jordyn Nomee also got to show off their moves as they were introduced to the crowd.

Then, everyone was invited to the dance floor to be with family, practice technique or just to have fun.

Bear Creek, Sault Ste. Marie, a drum group from Ontario, Canada, provided song for the majority of the night.

Both of the Coeur d’Alene royalty then hosted special dances. Lawrence held a special Sweetheart Dance for couples in honor of her grandparents, where the winners could win $500 and Pendleton jackets. Antone held her special dance, where donated school supplies were placed in the center of the dance floor and people could take what they needed.

“I’m in college and I think education is a key thing,” Antone said. “My mom has always encouraged me to be involved, not only in our traditions but in my education. It’s important in our lives.”

Coeur d’Alene tribal member Lovina Louie said her favorite part of powwows was the dancing and singing.

“The dancers are here to dance for those who can’t walk, and the singers sing for those who can’t sing; it’s the heartbeat of our people,” she said.