The Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe will welcome visitors from across the region for the 61st Annual Blooming of the Dogwood Powwow, set for April 17–19, 2026, at 130 Haliwa Saponi Trail in Hollister.

Recognized as the oldest powwow in North Carolina, the Blooming of the Dogwood Powwow has historically drawn crowds of up to 10,000 visitors in a single weekend. The three-day cultural celebration showcases Native traditions through competitive dancing, drum contests, art exhibitions, and multiple Grand Entry ceremonies open to the public.

Competition Highlights

This year’s powwow features a highly anticipated drum contest with a $5,000 first-place prize, followed by awards of $4,000, $3,000, and $2,000. Dance competitions will include Golden Age, Adult, Teen, Junior, and Tiny Tots categories, with cash prizes awarded in each division. Registration for participants is $10 per person, and tribal identification may be requested.

The Pine Lodge Singers of Pembroke, N.C., will serve as the host drum for the weekend.

Grand Entry & Schedule

Grand Entry times are scheduled as follows (all times Eastern):
Friday: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: Noon and 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m.

A worship service will also be held Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Admission & Event Details

Daily admission is:
$10 for ages 7–61
$8 for ages 62 and older
Free for children 6 and under

A weekend pass is available for $20. Admission and on-site purchases are cash only. Camping will be available, but pets, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited on tribal grounds.

Traditional and contemporary art entries must be delivered to the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School cafeteria by 9:00 a.m. Saturday.

Featured Staff & Guests

This year’s featured staff includes:

Head Male Dancer: Eric Plainbull
Head Female Dancer: Charlize Evans
Arena Director: Will Richardson
Head Judge: Kevin Chavis
MCs: JD Moore and Sandon Jacobs

Host hotels for the event include the Holiday Inn Rocky Mount and the Hilton Garden Inn Roanoke Rapids.

Vendor & Contact Information

Vendor applications will be accepted exclusively through the official online form. The only way to apply for vendor space is by submitting an application at the Tribe’s designated link.

Headquartered in Hollister, the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe is a sovereign Indian nation committed to protecting its identity, cultural heritage, and the well-being of its citizens. Through education, health initiatives, economic development, housing, and cultural programming, the Tribe continues to serve as an advocate for its people while building partnerships with local, state, and federal entities to strengthen the broader region.

For more information, contact the Tribe at (252) 586-4017.

Community members and visitors alike are invited to experience the rich traditions, powerful drumming, vibrant regalia, and cultural pride that define this longstanding North Carolina tradition.

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On Saturday, Sept. 6, the community gathered at the Haliwa-Saponi Multipurpose Building in Hollister to celebrate the life and legacy of Faith Hedgepeth during the annual Faith’s Smile Scholarship Fundraiser.

The day was filled with love, laughter, and remembrance as family and friends came together to keep Faith’s light shining. Guests enjoyed a plate sale and silent auction, with all proceeds supporting local students in pursuit of their college dreams.

Created in honor of a vibrant and loving American Indian woman, the Faith’s Smile Scholarship is open to female students connected to a recognized American Indian tribe in North Carolina through membership or ancestry, entering their freshman year at a four-year college or university.

Faith’s radiant smile continues to inspire, and her legacy lives on through every scholarship awarded and in the hearts of all who love her.

Donations may be sent to:
104 Haliwa Drive
Warrenton, NC 27589

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This month, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) invites audiences into a daring and evocative concert experience: Beethoven X Beyoncé, a spectacular Steve Hackman’s BSO Fusion.

At the heart of these performances is our very own powerhouse vocalist, Brooke Simpson.

In a thrilling collision of genres, conductor Steve Hackman melds the stirring drama of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 with the dynamic energy of Beyoncé’s hits—including Crazy in Love, Single Ladies, Halo, Cuff It, Girls, Sorry, and Texas Hold ‘Em.

Joined on stage by Malia Civetz and Brayla as vocal collaborators, their talents will be supported by the BSO’s ensemble featuring drums, bass, guitar, and synthesizer.

Simpson’s dynamic voice promises a transcendent journey through both classical and pop genres.

A member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe and a celebrated performer, Simpson rose to national prominence as a top-three finalist on NBC’s The Voice and a grand-finalist on America’s Got Talent. Her background in pop, stage, and culture, including her acclaimed Broadway appearance in the revival of 1776, attests to her vocal versatility.

Beethoven X Beyoncé is set to premiere on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM at the Music Center at Strathmore and followed by a second evening on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 8:00 PM at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

For ticket information and to see Brooke Simpson in this unique production, visit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra website.

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AccessOn Networks announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the company a $17.5 million dollar grant which will allow the Holly Springs-based company to bring high-speed internet access to more than 2,500 addresses, 100 businesses, 76 farms and 22 educational facilities in rural Warren and Halifax counties.

“People living in rural towns across the nation need high-speed internet to run their businesses, go to school and connect with their loved ones,” commented USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA partners with small towns, local utilities and cooperatives, and private companies to increase access to high-speed internet so people in rural America have the opportunity to build brighter futures. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is committed to making sure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet.”

Warren County Manager Vincent Jones, Commissioner Walter Powell, Community & Economic Development Director Charla Duncan, Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, Haliwa-Saponi Chief Brucie Ogletree Richardson, Senior Advisor to President Biden Mitch Landrieu / Photo Credit: Warren County Government

“AccessOn Networks is thankful for the opportunity to receive this funding from the USDA,” said Steve Ledford, AccessOn Networks CEO. “This grant will allow us to help residents and businesses in Warren and Halifax counties that desperately need access to reliable high-speed internet. We would like to thank the Biden-Harris Administration, the USDA, Governor Cooper and NCDIT, Congressman Butterfield, Congresswoman Ross, the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, Warren County Manager Vincent Jones and Halifax County Manager Dia Denton, county commissioners from both counties, and all of the residents, business owners and community leaders who supported this application. Their support was vital in helping us win this grant funding.”

Governor Roy Cooper / Photo Credit: Warren County Governor

There is no timeline for when this initiative will begin.

Read more: AccessOn Networks Awarded USDA ReConnect Grant to Bring High-Speed Internet to Rural Areas of Warren and Halifax Counties

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If you have perused the local newspapers, chances are, you have come across Ivan Richardson‘s photography work.

Photographer Ivan Richardson (submitted photo)

With his Nikon in tow, the Fotoworkz: Photography by Ivan owner has captured winning shots at high school games, adorable candids at community festivals, and most notably, his breathtaking and vivid portraits of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe.

A member of the tribe himself, through his use of angles, lights, and shadows, his creative brand stands out as his work focuses on his community. Much of his artistry highlights the Native American tribe donning traditional regalia during annual Powwows and other regional cultural events as well as everyday life.

For a closer look, visit The Mims Art Gallery at North Carolina Wesleyan College, which has his work adorning their walls until Feb 28. A reception in his honor will be this Thursday, Feb 17 from 5-7pm in the gallery. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet Richardson and other members of the Haliwa Saponi tribe.

This will be the second time Richardson’s photography has been on exhibit at The Mims.

Recently, he announced via social media that one of his images will be featured in an upcoming textbook.

North Carolina Wesleyan College is located at 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd in Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Ivan Richardson is a freelance photographer and the owner of Fotoworkz: Photography by Ivan. He can be reached at (919) 497-6684.

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To celebrate the love + support I’ve received from you all with the launch of The Warrenist, I want to give one (1) lucky winner TWO (2) VIP tickets to see Brooke Simpson LIVE in concert THIS Saturday (12/11) at the Rocky Mount Event Center!

TO ENTER:
Follow The Warrenist on Facebook
Follow The Warrenist on Instagram
Subscribe to The Warrenist newsletter (It’s free!)
Tag @ someone you would take with you to the show (under the Facebook or Instagram posts)

GIVEAWAY RULES
– Must be at least 18 years old
– Must provide your own transportation to and from the concert
– This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram

The lucky winner will be chosen randomly and notified by Thursday, Dec. 9th at 5pm.

Good luck!!!

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Immediately after her top five finish on America’s Got Talent, Brooke Simpson released not one, but two new singles: You Only Had One Job and Haliwa.

In You Only Had One Job, which Brooke revealed is her favorite song off her anticipated debut album, is a metaphoric spin on the popular meme and a catchy breakup tune (If I was your boss, you’d be unemployed).

Simpson honors her Indigenous roots and her hometown in Haliwa. A member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe centered in Hollister, NC, Brooke mellows out her powerhouse vocal range in this beautiful ode (I get it from my mama/And she get it from hers/Passing down the mantle/Put the flame to the candle of them redbone girls).

Simpson has yet to announce when her album will be released, but until then, she will be keeping busy. Most recently and in honor of Native American Heritage Month, she appeared in the See Me See Us campaign for Nike N7. Next year, Brooke will be making her Broadway debut in the Diane Paulus revival of the Tony Award-winning musical, 1776.

Fans will be able to see her in concert soon, the first since AGT, where she will be bringing her star power to the North Carolina Holiday Makers Market at the Rocky Mount Events Center on Saturday, December 11th. Tickets are available here.

Check out You Only Had One Job and Haliwa below:

YOU ONLY HAD ONE JOB (Download)

HALIWA (Download)

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