The 66th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair & Powwow filled the Sky Ute Fairgrounds Arena from Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 13 bringing tribes and the surrounding community together for this annual celebration. This year’s powwow featured the crowning of new Southern Ute Royalty, special dance contests, gourd dance, drum and dance contest, and the highly anticipated Jalapeño Eating Contest for singers. Head staff included; Carlos Calica, Winston Stewart, Nick Brokeshoulder, Ian Thompson, Domingo Whiteman, The Cozad Singers, Assiniboine Cree singers, and the Bad Company singers.
Women’s Traditional dancers swing and sway to the sounds of the Assiniboine Cree singers during grand entry on Friday evening. Southern Ute tribal member, Cassandra Atencio showcases her Ute style of dress, following behind her is Native producer and artist Jhane Myers who is well known throughout Indian Country.
Jr Boys Southern Straight Dancer, Roderick “Baby Ro” Walker, jams out in Grand Entry alongside his father Matthew Duncan on Friday.
Outgoing Southern Ute Royalty are honored with gifts and song for completing their individual reigns. Outgoing Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, KaiLanii Graham dances alongside fellow royalty during their honoring special.
Southern Ute tribal member, Autumn Sage, is crowned Miss Southern Ute on Friday evening by her grandmother Christine Sage, who also serves as the Tribe’s Chairman. Autumn Sage will continue her reign as Miss Southern Ute for an additional year following her reign from 2025-2026.
Malia White Thunder is crowned Jr. Miss Southern Ute on Friday evening following the first Grand Entry session; White Thunder earned the title following the Southern Ute Royalty pageant.
Gourd Dancers shake their gourds to the sounds of The Cozad Singers on Sunday morning. Gourd dance took place ahead of each Grand Entry session throughout the weekend, showcasing the style that originally comes from the Kiowa people.
Women’s Fancy Shawl dancer, Shirley Reeder enjoys grand entry on Saturday evening. Dancers fill the Sky Ute Fairgrounds arena with their respective dance styles.
Host Southern Drum for this year’s 66th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Powwow was the Bad Company singers. Bad Company was formed in March 2009 under the direction of the late Mark Quintana – their singers come from various tribes including the Southern Cheyenne & Arapaho, Kiowa, Pawnee, Crow, Navajo (Diné), and more. The group has traveled across the U.S. and into Canada.
Members of the Southern Ute Veterans Association and other visiting veterans, bring in the flags for the first session of Grand Entry on Friday evening. The veterans led dancers for the 66th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair & Powwow.
Representatives from each drum group at the 66th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Powwow compete in the Drummer’s Jalapeño Eating Contest for a chance at a $500 cash prize. Singers must finish five jalapeños as fast as they can – contestants drew a crowd during the event on Sunday afternoon.
Jackson Gray (right) throws his hands up after completing the Jalapeño Eating Contest, Drummer's edition on Sunday, Sept. 13 during the 66th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Powwow. Each year drummers in attendance at Fair Powwow will send one representative of their drums to compete in the contest. Gray, who sings with The Horses, was announced as the Grand Champion for the Drummer’s Jalapeño Eating Contest.
Grand Champion of the drummers Jalapeño Eating Contest, Jackson Gray receives his prize from Superintendent, Robert Ortiz on Sunday, Sept. 13.
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: 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
