The 96th Southern Ute Tribal Fair starts today with contests, exhibits, tournaments, youth concert, and contest powwow through the weekend. Events are at Sky Ute Event Center, the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, and other Ignacio area locations. All are welcome.
The fair theme is "Our Future is our Strength."
The fair parade is Saturday at 10 a.m. through downtown Ignacio.
The powwow starts today with Gourd Dancing at 5 p.m. and the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. in the Event Center indoor arena. Saturday has Gourd Dancing at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Grand Entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday has Gourd Dancing at 10 a.m. with the Grand Entry at noon. There will be cash prizes in several categories. Dancers and drum groups come from several states to compete.
Horticulture and arts and crafts exhibits are in the museum large classroom. Livestock exhibits are at the Event Center.
Friday activities include a morning softball challenge, mid-day corn bag toss tournament, picnic for tribal members and families and tribal staff, employee tug of war, afternoon youth games, and co-ed softball tourney in the evening.
Saturday activities start at 7 a.m. with an archery shoot and sign-up for the Eldred and Glenda Vigil Memorial Walk/Run that starts at 7:30 a.m., zipline rides across the Event Center infield, the Sam Burch Memorial Trophy, horseshoe and stick game tourneys jalapeno eating contest, the Jimmy Newton Jr. youth concert at 4 p.m. in the infield with headliner band REZ-olution, an all Native tug of war, royalty dinner, and fireworks at dusk in the Event Center infield.
Sunday activities include a pancake breakfast, zipline rides, red/ green chili or salsa contest, greased pole climb, frybread contest, baby contest, afternoon duck race on the river, and an afternoon jalapeno eating contest for pow wow drummers.
More information and a complete schedule are at www.southernute-nsn.gov/culture/fair-and-powwow/ or in the Sept. 2 Southern Ute Drum.
