Cheyenne Frontier Days Opens Expanded Morning Star American Indian Village

Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration, opened the new Morning Star American Indian Village on July 17, 2026, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The $10 million project, three times larger than the previous site, features a circular dance arbor modeled after Native powwow arenas, reflecting the Lakota concept of the circle of life. The village includes public artwork, educational signage, ADA accessibility, trees, native plant gardens, and an expanded spectator capacity with upgraded amenities for dancers. The old fort-like site, prone to flooding, has been replaced by an open, shaded space. Northern Arapaho dance group coordinator and educator Sandra Iron Cloud, who consulted on the project, will present her Northern Plains dance group at the event. The village also introduces an enormous 20-foot tipi and a demonstration area for tipi erection. Cheyenne Frontier Days celebrates its 130th anniversary this year; Native dance has been part of the event since the late 19th century. The Morning Star Indian Village will remain open year-round for various events. A full powwow is scheduled for July 22, and the event concludes with a Friendship Dance (Round Dance) open to all.