Native dancers and singers, artists, crafts -- and the ever-popular Indian fry bread -- drove thousands of locals and visitors to the Arizona Indian Festival Feb. 8-9 at the Scottsdale Civic Plaza.
The event was one of Scottsdale’s Western Week and Parada del Sol in Old Town Scottsdale, and visitors meandered under sunny skies and near-perfect weather for the side-by-side events.
Also presented was information about tribal tourism and awareness of the state's many and varied indigenous communities. Native artists and craft creators showed their wares and the intricacies and difficulties of their work, including rugs, pottery and jewelry.
There were special areas for kids to make their own art and crafts or listen to native story-tellers. The food offerings developed lines, and not just at the noon hour
Arizona Indian Festival sponsors
Sponsors included the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Apache Gold Casino and Resort, Arizona Office of Tourism, Arizona Commission on the Arts, City of Scottsdale, DiscoverNavajo.com, Fort McDowell Resort Destination, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Shonto Community, and the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe.
An artist's booth at the Arizona Indian Festival in Downtown Scottsdale.
Native dancers.
There's always a line at the Indian fry bread booth.
Kids got to create art with local artists.
Native princesses.
Even the canine participants enjoyed the day.
