Celebrating the 102nd Southern Ute Tribal Fair: Contests

Friday - September 20, 2024 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum
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Inflatable dinos cross the finish line during the Dino Run contest sponsored by Agatha Bison on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds. Participants in four categories ran about ¼ mile in inflatable dinosaur costumes, racers competed for cash prizes. This contest drew a large crowd as friends and family cheered for their favorite dino racer.
Moav Berry adds the door to his team's tipi during the Tipi Raising Contest held on Sunday, Sept. 8. Each team is judged on their technique of raising the tipi and their quickness in raising the tipi.
Tallias Cantsee makes a cast in the early morning hours.
Anglers of all ages tried their luck for the largest, smallest and the prized “tagged” fish at Scott’s Pond on Friday, Sept. 6, during the Southern Ute Tribal Fair Fishing Derby.
Southern Ute Tribal member, Cyrus Naranjo, an avid skateboarder from Ignacio, Colo. shows his skills at the SunUte Skate Park during this year’s Skate Jam, which drew spectators and participants from a broad range of ages during the 102nd Southern Ute Tribal Fair. Naranjo went on to take a first-place win in his division.
Skateboarders go head-to-head in timed competition at the SunUte Skate Park during this year’s Skate Jam, where youth vie for prizes in both BMX and traditional skateboarding.
Southern Ute Tribal member, Diego Perez stands proudly alongside his daughter, Gabriela who took home a first-place win in the BMX category for her age group during this year’s SunUte sponsored Skate Jam; Gabriela went home with a brand-new BMX bike.
Sisters, LuRhea Ramone, Winona Ramone compete head-to-head in the annual frybread contest. LuRhea took first place, while younger sister, Winona placed third in the annual Frybread Contest hosted by Lisa Burch.
All the essential tools and items necessary for creating the perfect frybread, during the annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Fybread Contest.
Hunter Wells maintains the fire, while teammate, Wohpe Cantsee prepares their dough in the youth-team competition of the Frybread Contest. They placed first in the team youth category.
Sophie Box, Whope, and Maili Colorow all from Towaoc, Colo. mix their flour and water and other ingredients to achieve the right consistency before heading back to their firepits.
LuRhea Ramone stretches her dough over her firepit, before putting the dough into her pan; she eventually placed third.
Winners of the 2024 Frybread Contest after building their own fires, making their dough and presenting three of their best frybreads to the judges for tasting competed for cash and prizes awarded by superintendent, Lisa Burch (far right). This year included a youth-team category – Whope Cantsee and Hunter Wells won that category. While this year’s single winners are LuRhea Ramone, who won first place, Maili placed second and Winona Ramone took third.
Danielle Austin takes a break from Wildlife Resource Management to enjoy the annual Fishing Derby at Scott’s Pond.
Team “Meet the Robinsons” work to raise a tipi as fast as possible for a chance at a cash prize, three teams entered this year’s Tipi Raising Contest held on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Team “Whistling Gap” work together to raise a tipi during the 102nd Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair and Rodeo; the trio went on to take third place in this year’s competition.
The 22nd Annual Jalapeño Eating Contest was held on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds. Brave men and women go head-to-head for a chance at the $500 grand champion prize, Winona Ramone and Katrina Baker chew through hot jalapeños during the women’s contest.
Jackson Grey, David Tallbird, and Oren Roy compete in the 22nd Annual Jalapeño Eating Contest for a chance at winning the $500 grand champion prize.
Winners of the Men’s and Women's Jalapeño Eating Contest stand together alongside Event Coordinator Robert Ortiz who has been hosting this event for over two decades.
Teams of all ages pull hard for a chance to win cash prizes during this year's Tribal Fair Tug-O-War contest hosted by Southern Ute Behavioral Health and Tribal Information Services. Youth hit the water after two rounds of tug-o-war on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds.
Men's six-man team, Preston Abeyta, Chris Phillips, Andrew Gallegos, Alex Pena, War Casias, and Ayden Casias pull hard against their opposing team, they went on to take first place in their division.
Sisters, Sacha and Jeanne Smith warm up on the driving range at Hillcrest Golf Course, Sunday morning, Sept. 8 ahead of the competition. Their team would go on to place 2nd overall in the annual golf tournament sponsored by the Southern Ute Growth Fund.
Shawn Yazzie and Ernest “Muz” Pinnecoose catch up ahead of the annual golf tournament at Hillcrest Golf Course, Sunday morning, Sept. 8.
Easton Velasquez tries his luck at this year's Sasquatch Long Shoot at Scott’s Pond on Sunday, Sept. 15 in Ignacio for this year’s Southern Ute Tribal Fair & Rodeo.
Lorenzo “Woody” Pena challenges longtime winner Preston Abeyta in the Men’s Arm-Wrestling. Though Pena tried his best, Abeyta came out as the champion for another year in a row.
Damarion Goodtracks (left) watches with anticipation ahead of Bo Watts’ next toss during the BGC held Cornhole Tournament.
Neato Wilbourn and Larenz Wilbourn warm up before the San Juan Cornhole Tourney to better their chances at winning the top prizes.
Wilford Lang Jr., Ute Mountain Ute Recreation Center’s Gym Coordinator, came to enjoy the 3 Vs. 3 Outdoor Volleyball Tournament.
Bird Red and Carrie Kugath team up for a friendly game of Pickleball.
Focused in, a player is watching the ball being pitched, waiting to swing at the perfect moment.
Kids of all ages were encouraged to participate in the watermelon eating contest. The contest was broken into age groups and participants were given watermelon slices according to their age. Kids 15-18 years old were given even bigger slices for an increased challenge!
Meonahan “Joe” Howell shoots his recurve bow at a 3D target on Sunday, Sept. 15 on the Bear Trail during the 102 Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair. The event brought around 12 archers to compete in the early morning shoot, hosted by the SunUte Community Center.
Jack Frost III takes steady aim at his target during the archery shoot.
Shiri Howell won third place in the compound bow category. It was a mixed category of men’s and women’s aged 18 and up.
The early morning archery shoot brings in the younger archers to compete for a prize at the end. Sage Velasquez shows off her archery skills on the morning of Sunday, Sept.15.
Children of all ages compete against one another in a series of friendly arm-wrestling matches.
Kerwin Tom Sr. won first place for being the closest shot on the Sasquatch in the category for Recurve Traditional bow. In this sporting challenge, archers aim for Sasquatch on the island in the middle of Scott’s Pond.
JayJay Herrera-Thompson (pictured left) won first place in 2-3 Best Native Regalia. His mother and father are Mariah Thompson and Joe Herrera.
Billie TwoCrow shows off her Native Regalia while mom, TJ holds her during the baby contest.
The 102nd annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair weekend kicked off with the annual employee softball tournament on Friday, Sept. 6 at the Patrick Silva Memorial Field in Ignacio. Southern Ute Indian Tribal Permanent Fund went against Sky Ute Casino staff. Terence Whyte, Vital Statistics manager with Tribal Information Services swings at the ball.
Pitcher, Stan Patterson, father to Ryan Patterson who works at the Sky Ute Casino caught the ball for an out against the SUIT Permanent Fund team. Family members of employees were able to join in on the fun.
The Southern Ute Tribal Fair grease pole event brought in the youngest participants to see who could climb the fastest to the top. Alana Rohde, daughter to Dan Rohde, showed she can hang with the big boys on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds.
Zuriah Baker tries her best to climb up the grease pole, Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds
Accepting the challenge, teams compete in the grease pole climb on Sunday, September 8.
Shailyn Olguin and Clementine Carrillo rejoice as they bring in one of the largest trout of the day to be measured by the Wildlife Division prior to its release back into Scott’s Pond.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Cloud | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Rosaleigh Concepcion | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
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Contests galore ruled the Southern Ute Tribal Fair’s weekend. From the inaugural Dino Run to the 22nd annual Jalapeño Eating Contest, there was plenty of competition to be had. Pitting contestants against one another, team against team, all vying for prizes and hard-cold cash. The 102nd annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair was full of competitions, with arm wrestling and tug-o-war being ever more popular. Not to be outdone, youth competed in many events, including the youth games, tug-o-war, arm wrestling, greased pole climb, fishing, archery, skateboarding and of course the baby contest. Frybread cooking and fire smoke filled the air on Sunday, while contestants climbed a greased pole and raised tipis to see which teams were fastest. 

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