Thousands expected in Thatcher for Native American Festival in October

The organizing committee for the fifth annual Native American Festival gathers for a planning session at Eastern Arizona College on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

THATCHER — Organizers are happy with progress made to date for the fifth annual Native American Festival.

The festival, which celebrates the arts, food and culture of multiple tribes of Indigenous People from across the Desert Southwest, is making the move this year from Tombstone to the Thatcher campus of Eastern Arizona College.

The event is being put on by EAC, Spotted Eagle Native Arts and the Southeast Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at John Mickelson Field.

There will be multiple entertainers from across the region, including Native American Music Awards Artist of the Year Shelly Morningsong from New Mexico; two-time World Champion Hoop Dancer and Cirque du Soleil headliner ShanDien LaRance; the Crown Dancers from the White Mountains; Pawnee dancers from Colorado; and more.

“We’ve had people come and say, ‘We thought all Indians are the same.’ But of course, they’re not. So, everybody has their own way of celebrating their culture (and) their heritage,” said Charlie One Horse, entertainment coordinator for the festival.

A parade featuring traditional regalia and community groups will kick-off the event, followed by the day-long entertainment on the field. There will also be plenty of vendors offering traditional Native American dishes and crafts.

Admission is $10 per person with children 12 and under free. Tickets may be purchased in advance by clicking here.

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