CONTACT: Daniel Vandever, PIO
Phone: 928-871-6647
Email: dwvandever@gmail.com

Calm early morning at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Photo by Geri Hongeva)   PRINT AGENDA for 7/23/10

Monument Valley Celebration Day filled with events

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – When the sun rises over the Utah horizon on July 23, so will an event that acknowledges the beauty of the Southwest and celebrates the harmony between man and nature. The event is festive. The event is grand. The event is the Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii Celebration Day or the Monument Valley Celebration Day.

Framed in the scenic setting of towering sandstone masterpieces and majestic clouds, the Monument Valley Celebration will be a day packed with activities.

Beginning at 7 am, just as the sun spreads its rays across Navajoland, there will be an invocation and a posting of colors, followed shortly thereafter by a fun run/walk.

When the fun run participants return from their scenic journey, several activities that promote healthy living and activity will await them. Activities will include a co-ed softball tournament, song and dance, a chili cook-off and several other physical activities.

As the sun creeps to its summit near mid-day, there will also be a horse riders arrival, in which several groups of horse riders will approach the celebration from miles away. Awaiting the arrival of the stampede will be a special award ceremony in which there will be a plaque unveiling honoring the late Herman Daniels, Sr.

Mr. Daniels was an esteemed and dedicated servant to the Navajo people and served as a Navajo Nation Council delegate from 1998 until his death in early April. He also served as a member of the Olijato Grazing Committee from 1974 to 1998.

In conjunction with the unveiling of Mr. Daniels’ plaque, there will also be a grand opening of the Navajo Nation Welcome Center. The Welcome Center will include several renovations, including a new refreshment and food stand.

When the opening concludes, the day will continue with a special recognition ceremony of veterans and elderlies, and guests will be treated to a watermelon feast. Because of the dry heat of the sun, the watermelon will be given away for free to help refresh visitors.

Starting at 6 pm the day’s activities will continue to heat up. There will be a live concert performed by Native talent and KTNN will host “Drums of Summer.”

By the time the sun goes down over Monument Valley, the spirit of Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii will be up and alive, awaiting another year of celebration.

The Monument Valley Celebration Day is free and open to the public.

If you have any questions, please contact the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at 435.727.5870 or visit www.navajonationparks.org.

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