Rider entries fill up in first hour

The calendar page  has turned to July, and with businesses reopening and outdoor events able to resume, it is almost time for the return of a signature Gallup event: WildThing Championship Bullriding.

WildThing organizer Larry Peterson said rider entries were taken last week and spots were completely filled within an hour.

“We’ve got a lot of really good bull riders coming to Gallup,” Peterson told the Sun June 29. “We have riders from everywhere, [such as] all the top riders from the Navajo Nation. We have riders from many states, [including] Texas, Oklahoma, California, Wyoming, and Oregon.”

About four previous WildThing champions...

Senator Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M. talked about vaccinations as well as housing challenges when he met with Gallup Veterans Helping Veterans June 30.

Lujan shared information on the American Rescue Plan Act. He said getting vaccines into people’s arms and ensuring support for families facing challenges with rent and mortgage payments were primary considerations.

“I reached out to Dennis McDonough, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, for the deployment of mobile units for more access to vaccines,” he said. “We have to get into communities where people live.”

He said the American Rescue Plan Act includes $17 billion for healthcare along with investments for telemedicine and the...

Downtown Night Out re-launch draws Gallupians to the streets

Once the Coal Avenue fence came down and the state promised to reopen, Downtown Night Out was ready to make its return to the City of Gallup.

June 26 was the night. It came with trappings including the Diné Boyz, Austin Ramirez, and the Starlight Dancers.

Organized by Gallup Main Street Arts and Cultural District Executive Director, Kara Smith and Gallup Arts Crawl Executive Director, Rhonda Quintana, of Quintana’s Music Center, the event brought out a mix of people — masked and unmasked, in boots and sneakers, bluejeans and cowboy hats — ready to dance the night away, or sit in their chairs and watch.

After...

Juggernaut Music’s first two-day outdoor festival in eight years

On July 3 and 4, the Gallup Flea Market North Stage will be the site of the Freedom Fest, sponsored by Juggernaut Music.

Live performances are scheduled from 6 pm-11 pm for each day. Performances will span the genres of traditional Navajo music, hip hop and metal.

July 3 performances will include 3YE, War Motor, Death Mantra, Shadow Remains, and Alchemy.

Scheduled for July 4 are Pete Sands and the Drifters, Def-I, Sage Cornelius, the Martin Sisters, Sunburnt Stone, Cody Kelly and Arizona Dreamerz.

Ernie Santiago, owner and proprietor of Juggernaut Music, said the Freedom Fest will be the second show he has...