Vendors showcase products, delights at 76th Annual Navajo Nation Fair

By Tyson Hudson
Navajo Times

WINDOW ROCK — The 76th Annual Navajo Nation Fair experienced a short lull on Friday afternoon, but fair workers and vendors were abuzz for the long weekend ahead. As country star Joe Nichols prepared for his concert that night with a sound check, vendors cooked and arranged their merchandise at their work sites around the fairgrounds.

Jeraldine Largo, of Ramah, New Mexico, said she enjoyed listening to Nichols warmup with his band as she and her colleagues organized their pop-up shop by Jackson Rodeo Arena.

Asdzaa Boutique is a Navajo-owned business that sells Western and Native American fashion items and clothes.

Largo said this is the first time they are selling their wares at the fair, and so far, they have enjoyed their spot.

“We’re in a prime location of the target audience we wanted, so we’re happy,” Largo said.

Other vendors were preparing food and drinks for the rodeo, concert, and carnival.

Karah Plummer, of Upper Fruitland, New Mexico, has worked at LCJ’s Food Stand for almost a decade. She said business picked up as more people are coming out to events after the Covid pandemic.

Jerroldine Zilth said her business, Que’s Shaved Ice, has varied year to year, but Kids Days on Wednesday brought her the most business during the fair.

“It was busy,” Zilth said. “It’s like non-stop all afternoon.”

Zilth, originally from Cane Valley, Arizona, said she must be careful to keep her workstation clean because vehicles kick up dust on the walkway, but she enjoys being among her people. She also likes to people-watch at the fair too.

Terri Lynn Begay has been selling traditional Navajo food under the name “Diné Bi Chiyaan” at the fair for over 10 years. She said making a profit varies from year to year, and she noticed the fee for a vending spot has gone up.

The police have been taking up a lot of space with their patrol vehicles too, Begay said. Her family must walk their cooking equipment further away from their food stand.

Zilth pointed out that all the fairs around the Navajo Nation should construct an RV park at the fairgrounds with hookups to electricity and water for vendors traveling with campers, trailers, and RVs.

David Pauley drove to the fair in a truck and fifth-wheel RV from Las Vegas, Nevada, with his family to sell smoked BBQ.

Business has been slow for Pauley, but he hopes it will pick up for the weekend.

“Everybody’s been really nice,” Pauley said about the fair. “All the vendors are great. Everybody that comes up is really cool.”

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