You can discover the natural and cultural wonders of southeastern Utah this weekend. The fifth annual Celebrate Cedar Mesa will be held from Friday to Sunday in Bluff.
Organized by Friends of Cedar Mesa, the event will feature service projects, research presentations, discussion groups, tours and educational films about archaeology and natural sciences in the region.
“It’s a weekend full of events,” said Executive Director Josh Ewing. “It draws in researchers and people who have an appreciation for the cultural and natural resources of Cedar Mesa.”
Every year, the event grows, he said, with a record 200 attendees last year, a number organizers expect to exceed this weekend.
“We double the population of Bluff for a weekend,” Ewing said.
On Friday, participants can sign up for service projects, including building fences, cleaning up trash, improving trails and installing educational signs.
The film “The River of Sorrows” about the Dolores River will play Friday night. Representatives from Dolores River Boating Advocates will be at the screening for a question-and-answer session.
If you can’t make it to Bluff on Friday, don’t worry. Saturday offers a full day of activities to enjoy. The main gathering, featuring presentations, slideshows and research updates, will be held at the Bluff Community Center.
Speakers will include Lance Porter, district manager for the Bureau of Land Management’s Canyon Country District; Vaughn Hadenfeldt of Friends of Cedar Mesa; and Billy Shott, acting superintendent at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Photographer RE Burrillo will present “The Lens of History: Documenting Impacts to Archaeological Sites on Cedar Mesa.”
There will be updates about a campaign to have Cedar Mesa designated as the Bears Ears National Monument. A panel of Native American speakers will give its perspective on the proposal.
Author Craig Childs will moderate a panel about responsible recreation. Panel participants will include guides from Deer Hill Expeditions, Wild Rivers/4Corners Adventures, the Access Fund and Sam Mix of Osprey Packs.
“One of the campaigns we will be rolling out is ‘Visiting with Respect,’ an important message to leave artifacts where they are so they can be enjoyed by the next generation,” Ewing said.
Kay Shumway will give a presentation about the historic Shumway Cabin in Recapture Canyon. Jonathan Till of Edge of the Cedars Museum will discuss Chacoan roads, their meaning and social tradition.
Other presentations will target the Cedar Mesa Perishables Project, wild plants, the history of the mesa and a study about structural wood sites.
Saturday night, there will be a chili potluck dinner and an after-party at Rusticks Gallery with live music by Durango band Running Out of Road.
Free guided hikes and workshops will be held Sunday.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
On the Net
For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.friendsofcedarmesa.org/celebrate.
