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You are here: Community Features Ribbon cutting opens 69th Navajo Nation Fair

Ribbon cutting opens 69th Navajo Nation Fair

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Window Rock – Office of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President Ambassador Peterson Zah performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting to open the 69th Annual Navajo Nation Fair Sept. 9.

Ambassador Zah was joined by Martin Begaye, from the Navajo Nation Fair Office; Arbin Mitchell, Chief of Staff from the Speaker’s Office; and Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch.

Also in attendance were Jesse Delmar, Director of the Department of Public Safety, Marty Ashley, Executive Director of the Navajo Tax Commission, Bidtah Becker, Acting Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Theresa Hopkins from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

With the ribbon cutting, the Navajo Nation Fair has opened its gates to a stacked schedule of performances and events that will take place throughout the week up until Sept. 13.

“We have things going on all week. We have rodeos. We’ll have a barbeque on Thursday afternoon. Thursday is Kid’s Day and we’ll also have an Elder Fest in the morning at the powwow arena,” said Begay. “We invite everyone to come out to the Navajo Nation Fair. There are a lot of things going on.”

One of the fair’s main attractions is the parade, which will take place on Sept. 12.

“It’s the granddaddy of them all. The parade starts in the state of New Mexico and ends in the state of Arizona,” Zah said. “Non-Indian people, politicians, congressional people and state representatives, they all love to participate in the Navajo Nation Fair Parade.”

The Navajo Nation Fair has a long history of bringing people together to celebrate harvest, competition and camaraderie. It’s a celebration in which the Navajo people invite and host many other tribes from across the nation.

“It’s a gathering place for the Navajo people. Years and years ago this is where the people came together to renew their friendship and acquaintances. This is where they came to meet relatives. They also came here to show each other what they grew: watermelon, corn, squash and everything.”

In the spirit of coming together to share food, fun and cultural entertainment, the Navajo Nation Fair is an annual destination not to be missed. For more information about the schedule of events, go to: www.navajonationfair.com

Visit: www.dpm.navajo-nsm.gov