I hadn't been to a Native American powwow since I was a kid, and that was back on the East Coast, among the Narragansett. Seeing a gathering of several Western tribes was a new treat for me, especially with the ocean breeze and sweeping views for a backdrop. The event is more low-key than I had anticipated, and focused more on the participants than the spectators; this is no Vegas-style Native American display but rather a gathering of people who work hard to preserve their culture.

So what is there to entertain kids? For starters, there is an area set aside for Chumash storytelling. There are also loads of vendors from North and South America, selling a cornucopia of handmade items. Each of our kids had $10 to spend, and they were entertained for a good long while, browsing booth after booth making their decisions. More than just jewelry and ponchos, the handicrafts include everything required to create your own spears and arrows, semi-precious stones, and - an unexpected hit with most kids we saw - the animal pelt booth. Go figure.

The dancing and music goes on throughout the day on the main green and - for us - became more of a backdrop to absorb than a main event to sit and watch. I had imagined the kids sitting and watching and learning through some kind of presentation like the faux Native American show at Knotts Berry Farm, but this celebration is more experiential. Our kids took in the culture they were surrounded by for a few hours, but without thinking that they were participating in anything educational.

Wondering about food for any picky eaters in your clan? The food selection is not quite as broad as the typical SoCal festival fare; the tacos are "Indian Tacos" on fry bread, and the hot dogs are "Native Dogs" wrapped in fry bread. In short - lots of fry bread. We had a tasty lunch, but there wasn't a grilled cheese or ordinary hot dog to be found. On the other hand, shaved ice and funnel cake abound.

Parking is offsite at the corner of Civic Center and Webb Way, but it's free, plentiful, and with a swarm of free shuttles running all day long. You could try your luck parking along Malibu Canyon Road if you prefer walking, but it looked like it would probably take at least as long as parking offsite, and with more leg work.

A final note on photography: signs posted warn that only some moments are appropriate for photography, and I discovered that many people at the powwow are sensitive to even being in the background of a photo - including the artisans. Best to ask before pulling out the iPhone. That said, several people in native dress are happy to pose for photos when asked.