Shiprock Fair promises fun, tradition

advertisement

Inside the small white cookhouse at the Ye'ii Bi Chei area near the Shiprock fairgrounds, Bertha Etsitty was busy tending four giant pots of stew.

Etsitty's niece, Quoila Ross, is the patient at this year's Ye'ii Bi Chei ceremony during the Shiprock Navajo Fair. The medicine man is Roy Lester from Indian Wells, Ariz.

Since the ceremony started Sept. 25, Etsitty said there has been a steady increase of people stopping by, either to visit or to deliver a donation.

"It's like working in a café, you got to be fast," she said.

The sound of dough being slapped into shape could be heard coming from the kitchen, while food servers were busy delivering food, greeting visitors and wiping tables.

Ross is Tódích'íi'nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tábaahá (Edge Water Clan) and is the daughter of Randy Ross and Linda Nolan of Shiprock.

---

This is the first Ye'ii Bi Chei ceremony for the family. It is also the first such ceremony held each year and traditionally kicks off the Shiprock fair, the oldest harvest festival on the Navajo Nation.

The 98th Annual Shiprock Navajo Fair starts today, Oct. 1. This year's theme is "A Salute to Diné Heritage."

Today's activities include a free barbecue, Youth Day, Elderfest, and the crowning of Miss Northern Navajo.

The new few days will be filled with rodeo, traditional song and dance, powwow, parade, carnival and exhibits of various kinds. An event schedule is available on the fair's Web site, www.shiprocknavajofair.com.

Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and children 6-12. It's free for kids under 5 and people with disabilities.

Four-day passes are available for $18 per person, $19 for a vehicle. The driver's admission is included with the vehicle pass. Both walk-in and vehicle passes can be purchased at the fair office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fair board Secretary Sylvia Manuelito said board members were worried the poor economy might mean a low turnout of vendors and booth rentals but that was not a problem.

"It's amazing how the booths filled up fast," she said.

As of Tuesday, the fairgrounds were beginning to take shape with the arrival of the carnival rides.

"We just want everybody to come out and have a good time," Manuelito said.

Youth Day activities start at 9 a.m. today and area students will be treated to games, demonstrations by EMS and fire department crews, informational booths and a magic show.

"The staff has as much fun as the students," said Jeff Holtsoi, recreational specialist for the tribe's Office of Youth Development in Shiprock, which is sponsoring the event.

The red and white-striped tent that houses the Indian Market was already in place earlier this week.

More than 100 artisans and vendors have registered for booths, said Sally Begay, Indian Market coordinator.

In addition to the variety of jewelry and arts and crafts for sale, the market will offer a mixture of entertainment and country western dances.

Comedians Pax Harvey and James June will headline a show Friday at 6 p.m.

New to the market is the Nataani Nez Flyers, a line-dance group from Shiprock that will demonstrate its skills in exhibition dancing.

Shonto, Ariz., artist Al Bahe, who designed this year's poster, will be at the Indian Market on Friday afternoon to sign autographs. Posters are on sale at the fair office.

"We try to make it fun," Begay said. "I'm amazed at the response we get."

Information: 505-368-3727, or www.shiprocknavajofair.org.

Back to top ^