Recession or not, fair outlook bright
By Bill Donovan
Special to the Times
WINDOW ROCK, Sept. 10, 2009
Nothing can keep Navajos from flocking to the Navajo Nation Fair. Not the weather, not even the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
So says David James, fair manager, who was called upon three weeks ago to run the fair after the previous fair manager, Richard Showalter, abruptly stepped down to take a position with the Program for Self-Reliance.
In fact, James said, there are signs that the turnout this year will be up from last year.
One of these signs is the number of rodeo contestants who have signed up.
Last year, the open rodeo was limited to 500 contestants. This year the limit was raised to 600 and all the spots have been taken. The extra entrants means more family and supporters coming to the fair to root them on, James said.
Fair officials have dropped a few of the minor events in an effort to save money, but all of the major events, including the rodeo, free barbeque and Miss Navajo pageant, are full steam ahead.
Gone is the horseshoe throwing contest, but the horticulture and 4H exhibits are still here.
Fair prices are unchanged, although carnival rides cost more. To compensate, Frazier Carnival will offer discounts that sharply reduce ticket prices for the rides.
For instance, today - Kids' Day - you can buy a wristband for $20 and get unlimited free rides all day. The same deal will be offered Sunday between noon and 5 p.m., when the carnival closes.
Frazier also will offer $1-a-ride tickets Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 1 a.m.
"We have had these kinds of deals before but we haven't promoted them as much as we are this year," James said.
With some rides now costing as much as $3.50, officials expect many people will take in the carnival during discount hours.
One major change in this year's fair deals with the Saturday parade, which will start at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.
The reason for the early start, said James, is that the parade takes a long time to finish and has been gumming up access to other events.
"At noon three-fourths of the rodeo contestants were still trying to make it to the fairgrounds when the rodeo started at noon," James said.
To accommodate the parade, police will close that section of State Route 264 at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. Fair officials ask parade participants to get there as early as 4:30 a.m.
Speaking of traffic control, the Arizona Department of Transportation has installed up concrete barriers on the north side of State Route 264 across from the fairgrounds in an effort to keep fairgoers from parking on that side.
"It's a safety issue," said James, pointing out that with the heaviest traffic of the year on State Route 264, people take their lives in their hands trying to cross the road to the fairgrounds entrance.
Another change this year won't affect the average fairgoer but it will affect those people - such as tribal council delegates - who are used to getting free passes for themselves and their guests: No more freebies, James said.
An audit of the fair and the July 4th celebration highlighted the extensive use of free passes. Tribal auditors pointed out that those who get the free passes make enough money to pay their own way and recommended that, since the events lose money each year, a sharp reduction in the use of free passes would help them break even.
Giving free passes to elected officials and people who were supportive of the tribal government goes back decades.
In the old days, the fair was a social occasion for the whole tribe and no one worried too much about whether it made money.
But times have changed, James said, and the auditors will be looking at this year's event to make sure that the number of people who go through the turnstiles equals the number of people who pay an entrance fee.
This means very few free passes will be given out, and those will go primarily to fair workers or major sponsors, he said, and fair workers will also be cracking down on kids who go in and out since that affects the turnstile count.
Some other notes on this year's Navajo Nation Fair:
James also pointed out that the Navajo Nation Fair has a record of picking up-and-coming entertainers who went on to become big stars.
A resident of Crownpoint, Abeita is one of the best-known Navajo artists. He has made a living as a painter since the early 1970s - his portraits are especially popular - and has won dozens of awards for his artwork over the years.
James said the fair has increased the number of port-a-potties this year by 20. He didn't know the total number that will be on hand, but said, "Hopefully that will help" shorten the lines of people waiting to use them.
Despite warnings, each year sees dozens of people picked up at the fair for public drunkenness. They are taken to the tribal jail until they are sober. Fairgoers should also expect DWI checkpoints on roads leading to the fairgrounds, and security patrols in the parking lots checking for signs of drinking there.
To see a complete fair schedule, check the special insert in this issue of the Navajo Times, or visit www.navajonationfair.com and click on "events."
63rd Annual Navajo Nation Fair schedule
Thursday, Sept. 10 - Kids Day
8 a.m.
9 a.m.
10 a.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
8 p.m.
10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11 - Cowboy/Cowgirl Up Day
8 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
1 p.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
4 p.m.
7 p.m.
8 p.m.
9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12 - Wrangler Day
8 a.m.
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
1 p.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
7 p.m.
8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13 - Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day
8 a.m.
9 a.m.
10 a.m.
11 a.m.
12 p.m.
12:45 p.m.
General admission is $4 for adults and $2 for seniors/children. Parking is $4.
Admission prices rodeo performances:
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