Franklin Thompson rides on top of a float in full regalia. The annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Parade filled the streets of Ignacio on Saturday, Sept. 13, as the community lined along Goddard Avenue to witness the celebration of all the festivities. Various departments from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe showcased their colorful and creative floats for everyone in attendance.
Tribal Veterans lead the Southern Ute Fair Parade with the colors of the Ute flag.
Newly crowned Miss Southern Ute, Ellie Siebel, shines on top her float with a glimmering smile.
Eddie Box Jr. smiles as he introduces the floats rolling through the streets of Ignacio during the 94th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair.
Jr. Miss Southern Ute D'Vondra Garcia smiles on top of her float.
A young parade attendee patiently waits for candy while giving a joyful smile.
The Southern Ute Tribal Fair Parade brought out all of the smiling faces in everyone. Celebrating the Tribe for 94 years is an experience of its own.
Every float at the Southern Ute Tribal Fair Parade was creative in its own way, bringing out the best regalia and cultural themes.
Young powwow contestants ride on the back of their float while the supporting drum group performs a cultural tune.
The Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy marches alongside their parade float, showcasing a variety of colors.
Construction Services finishes off the annual Tribal Fair Parade with handfuls of candy for spectators.
Young spectators treat themselves with candy. The annual parade is an event that rejoices everyone in the community of all ages.
The Sky Ute Fairgrounds Arena was filled to full capacity as the 94th Annual Southern Ute Fair Powwow commenced Sept. 12 through Sept. 14. Hundreds of dancers, drummers, and spectators gathered in the arena for the experience of tribal drums and dancers. Friday night saw the crowning of the new Southern Ute Royalty: Miss Southern Ute Ellie Siebel, Jr. Miss Southern Ute D’Vondra Garcia, Little Miss Southern Ute Tauri Raines, and Miss Southern Ute Alternate Autumn Medicine-Blanket. The rest of the weekend was filled with competitive contest dancing and drumming.
The 94th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Powwow opens with its grand entry, bringing all dancers into the arena.
Dancer’s apparel is decorated with colors and various designs that compliment each individual’s culture and history.
The grand entry is full of movement and color. Each dancer brought their personality through their decorative regalia.
A young dancer smiles during the annual Tribal Fair Powwow grand entry. The powwow drew in a large number of dancers from all across Indian Country.
A dancer keeps up with the beats of drums.
Dancers of all ages celebrated their heritage in traditional regalia.
Corey Reeder from Anadarko, Oklahoma smiles before the Grand Entry.
Newly crowned Southern Ute Royalty poses during the powwow. From left: Miss Southern Ute Ellie Siebel, Little Miss Southern Ute Tauri Raines, Miss Southern Ute Alternate Autumn Medicine-Blanket, and Jr. Miss Southern Ute D’Vondra Garcia.
Southern Ute Vice Chairman Melvin Baker hands out Tribal Fair stickers to attendees inside the fairgrounds arena.
Guests at the Tribal Fair were treated with a lunch on Friday, Sept. 12. The lunch consisted of hamburgers, ribs, and potato salad. The lunch is held every year as a way of kicking of the Southern Ute Tribal Fair.
Among the events, there are also art exhibits where tribal members are eligible in entering their best work. Lella Baker won 2nd place in the art exhibit for her work on this detailed Gray Robot. The piece was entered in the crochet division.
Krista Richards was awarded 2nd Place for this contemporary painting in the adults division.
Even garden work gets recognition. Sylvia Valdez took home 1st place for her onions in the garden division.
This 2nd place ribbon went to Allisianna Baker for her work on this bobcat necklace, which was judged in the Indian crafts division.
The Eldred Vigil Memorial Walk/Run gathers runners and walkers for a morning of exercise. Held on Saturday, Sept. 13, participants met outside the SunUte Community Center in Ignacio where they did warm-up stretches before departing on a two-mile run. Prizes and gifts were handed out to the top runners and walkers.
Councilman Alex Cloud gives the opening prayer during the Eldred Vigil Memorial Walk/Run outside the SunUte Community Center.
Walkers and runners do some warm ups as the event is about to take place.
The sun greeted the day in an open sky, making the weather perfect for an active morning. All runners and walkers completed the laps with vigorous energy.
A runner sprints through his final lap outside the SunUte Community Center.
The Eldred Vigil Memorial Walk/Run brought out everyone of all ages.
Walkers and runners take a rest as the two-mile run concludes with its last lap.
All participating walkers and runners smile for a group photo.
The Frybread Contest pitted contestants head-to-head as they raced against the clock with the intent of making the best frybread old-school style. This means participants made their bread in the ground, complete with firewood and hot oil.
Leora Lucero begins preparing the fire as she's ready to cook her frybread.
Lisa Burch Frost conducted the frybread contest. She went over the rules with the contestants while giving them 20 minutes to prepare their best dish.
Participants competed for cash prizes and giveaways for whoever produced the best tasting frybread.
From left: Kara Begay won 1st place in the contest with Leora Lucero placing 2nd and Monteal Martinez finishing 3rd.
Jalapeno Contest participants must endure five jalapenos without heaving, otherwise they are disqualified.
The winners of the Jalapeno Contest. The top prize for the competition was a Sony Playstation 4.
The zip-line made its popular return to the Southern Ute Fairgrounds. Attendees were treated with free zip-lines ride, all weekend long. It brought out many smiling and laughing faces for all who wanted a thrill.
A young zip-liner laughs with joy as he gets a joyful ride across the Southern Ute Fairgrounds.
Haddonfield A.D. from Farmington, NM brought their hardcore/punk fueled sound to the Southern Ute Fairgrounds as part of the REZ-OLUTION Radio Youth Concert. This is their first time performing on the Southern Ute Reservation.
End This Year from Shiprock, NM shreds it up at the Southern Ute Fairgrounds. The REZ-OLUTION Radio Youth Concert was dedicated to late tribal chairman, Jimmy R. Newton Jr.
The Blissing travelled all the way from Tuba City, AZ to deliver an energized set of old-school punk rock.
The annual Softball Challenge pits associates from the Southern Ute Permanent Fund and Growth Fund in a softball game to determine which department comes out on top.
Jeff Ward from the Permanent Fund steps up to the plate.
Trennie Collins from the Permanent Fund prepares to knock one out of the park.
The Growth Fund reigned victorious during this year’s softball challenge, beating out the Permanent Fund for the top-prize. The softball challenge is held every year as part of the Tribal Fair’s events and contests.
The royalty dinner held at the Southern Ute Fairgrounds featured a home-cooked meal for guests. Enchiladas, salad, beans, and tortilla was the main course.
The royalty dinner was catered by Chef Joe Velasquez and his sister, Loretta Velasquez.
*Correction: This caption originally misidentified Loretta Velasquez as Chef Joe Velasquez wife. She is not his wife, but his sister.
The annual tug-o-war event is always a popular one. Crowds flocked around the Southern Ute Fairgrounds to witness the ultimate game of strength. It isn’t over until someone is down in the mud.
The tug-o-war event always has participants getting down and dirty as each team puts their mightiest strength to the test.
Chris Olguin won first place in the Chili Contest for his entry into the “Green Chili” Category. Lucy Olguin won Grand Champion in the Chili Contest for her delicious Green chili.
Margaret Hummingbird took first in red and Lucy Olguin won Grand Champion in the Chili contest.
Alexis Ortiz was but one of many who took their turn down the zip-line during the tribal fair.
Jerone Olguin won first in the Salsa Contest.
Delbert Cuthair Jr. takes aim at SunUte’s “High Noon” Fun 3D Archery Shoot Saturday, Sept. 13. Cuthair took 1st place, the 3D shoot was one of the many activities held during the Southern Ute Tribal Fair.
Born of Winter from Window Rock, AZ closed the REZ-olution 6 Youth Concert, Saturday, Sept. 13.
Testify from Coolidge, NM rocked the stage during the fireworks display of the REZ-olution 6 Youth Concert, Saturday, Sept. 13.
This fancy dancer wasted no time getting started; contest dancers were asked to dance in every grand entry and intertribal to help their point totals.
Powwow Committee Chairman, Edward Box III, and committee member Jodi Tahlo join in on a intertribal dance on the last day of the powwow.
The Southern Ute Tribal Fair Powwow kicked off the weekend with powerful grand entry led in by the color guard.
Head Gourd Dancer, Russell L. Blackbird, and tribal member Andrew Frost dance in the opening grand entry Friday evening.
Ute Mountain Royalty joined in on the fun walking the parade route and passing out candy.
Royalty from a visiting tribe wave to the crowd during the parade Saturday, Sept. 13.
Janelle Doughty hands out candy from the top of her horse.
Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Tribal Council’s ride together on the Council float throwing out water and t-shirts to parade goers. This year’s fair and parade theme was ‘Moache Capota’.
Twyla Blackbird waves to the crowd as she makes her way through the Southern Ute Fair Parade route Saturday, Sept. 13.
Sydney Santistevan climbs the grease pole; she was one of only two women who entered the individual grease pole competition.
“The Natives’” Roshae Weaver climbs teammate Howard Richards III on Sunday, Sept. 14 during the Grease Pole Competition held during the Southern Ute Fair. The “Donkey Devils” won first place and “Grease Faces” took third.
Feeling the pressure. Competitors in the grease pole team competition had a hard time trying to carry the weight of their team without collapsing.
Horseshoes proved to be a daylong event Saturday, Sept 13. Singles matches were up first followed by doubles later in the afternoon.
Some of the men feel the burn during the Jalapeño Contest Saturday, Sept. 13.
Heather Baker, Dominika Ramos and Kayla Armstrong were some of the brave women who dared to take on the Jalapeño-eating Contest at this year’s Southern Ute Tribal Fair Sunday, September 13.
Avaleena Naneto rides through the Sam Burch Memorial Horsemanship Course at the Southern Ute Tribal Fair, Saturday, Sept. 13.
Contestants of the Youth Games chowed down during the watermelon-eating contest Friday, Sept. 12.
The Youth Games helped kick off Tribal Fair festivities Friday, Sept. 12 at SunUte Field.
Tyson Thompson finishes last minute touch ups on his tipi before the time expires. “Army Called Ty” finished fourth in this year’s tipi raising contest held at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds.
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Trennie Collins | The Southern Ute Drum