The 55th annual Shoshone-Bannock Festival will be held Aug. 9-12 at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

The half a century old event was started in 1964 by by former Recreation Director Reeves Nawoosky as a way to celebrate the end of the summer. At the time, it was called a social powwow and focused primarily on dancing and drumming competitions.

Additionally, it started the Miss Shoshone-Bannock pageant, which continues today.

Though the Miss Shoshone-Bannock pageant is a prominent part of the festival, there are dozens of other activities and competitions held throughout the four-day powwow.

There will be food and arts and crafts booths open all day, as well as an art show. There will also be Indian relay races and tournaments in golf, softball and horseshoes, as well as a rodeo, parade and feast.

Following the tradition of the first festival, there will also be traditional drum and dance contests with cash prizes.

The festival is free and open to the public.