YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The season’s first major heat wave pushed temperatures to a sweltering 101 degrees on Saturday, May 31, but it wasn’t enough to keep crowds from turning out to two of the region’s largest community events: the annual Summer Stroll in Yuba City and the Yuba-Sutter Pow Wow in Marysville.

Hosted at Yuba Community College’s Marysville campus, this year’s Pow Wow chose “Honoring Families” as its central theme, welcoming dancers, drummers and community members for two full days of celebration, workshops and intertribal connections. From Grand Entry to competitive dancing and student activities, the event fostered cultural pride and togetherness. A few shaded areas offered relief from the scorching sun as dancers of all ages filled the circle in traditional regalia while spectators cheered them on. Hosted by the American Indian Education Program of the Marysville Joint Unified School District and the college’s own NASA (Native American Student Association), the event remained open and free to the public, with contests, storytelling and a strong emphasis on cultural education.

Meanwhile, downtown Yuba City pulsed with music, vendors and foot traffic during the evening hours for the Summer Stroll, but it was the PCW Wrestling matches on Center Street that stole the show. Wrestling fans packed the area to catch high-energy matches, including a main event featuring PCW founder and CEO Zack Reeb. Also popular were indoor acoustic sets at Hooligans Bar & Bistro and the ever-popular resident iguana “Levi” from Gaiser Pets who relished the heat while mingling with visitors. Kids explored booths offering vintage race cars and 3D-printed toys, while local law enforcement joined the fun with a push-up contest near the cornhole area.