The 99th annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair is bringing back the rodeo for the first time since the fair’s early years in the 1920s.
With more than 40 events this weekend, the fair will feature a mix of old and new events, like the powwow, parade, brisket cook-off and more, from Friday to Sunday at the Sky Ute Casino event tent. The Cultural Preservation Department, which organized the fair, is connecting the tribe’s past to its present by reintroducing the rodeo for participants of all ages to enjoy.
“The Tribe has a rich history filled with horse culture, and when the tribal fair first began, it included equestrian events,” wrote Lindsay Box, communications specialist for Tribal Council Affairs, in an email.
The Ute tribes, seven independent bands at the time, acquired horses from Spanish settlers in the early 1600s, according to “Ute Indian Arts and Culture,” a book published in 2000. The Utes were among the first of the unconquered tribes to have horses, and the equestrian culture of the plains and plateau tribes “was largely begun by the Utes’ adoption of the horse,” according to the book.
The horse changed Ute culture. They became important for trade, hunting and warfare, and the tribes became known as expert horsemen.
The rodeo will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings. The fair will feature other new events like a barbecue brisket cook-off and a kids’ tug-of-war.
Friday will include nine events from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., such as the Veterans Memorial Run/Walk, youth games and Gourd Dance.
Saturday’s schedule is filled from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with almost 20 events, such as the parade, powwow grand entry, hand-games tournament, Sam Burch Memorial Horsemanship Competition and evening fireworks.
On Sunday, 16 events will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., including an archery shoot, grease-pole climb, duck race and the All Native Best Painted Horse Competition.
“My favorite event is the parade because you get to see the different tribal departments and the dancers who are participating in the powwow,” said Christine Sage, chairwoman of the tribal council.
There are a few events that are open to non-tribal members, such as the powwow, organized by the Powwow Committee; rodeo; parade; jalapeño-eating contest; and the co-ed, open tug-of-war, Box wrote.
The fair, hosted by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, draws people from the far stretches of Indian Country.
“We have never recorded this information, but we have had people from the East to the West Coast and even from Canada!” Box wrote.
For both Native American and non-native attendees, “the fair brings a partnership through the open activities,” she wrote.
smullane@durangoherald.com
