PRESS RELEASE - June 14, 2010
CONTACT: Daniel Vandever, Public Information Officer
Phone: 928-810-8510
Email: dwvandever@gmail.com

Navajo Nation Fair Parade spectators Sept.2009

A Fair for the People

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Last week, the Budget and Finance Committee wanted to know from the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department – Special Events which budget-strapped departments can afford to donate $523,565 to the Navajo Nation Fair.

Chairman LoRenzo Bates even went as far as to ask the Special Events section to define the Fair’s purpose.

The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department – Special Events’ position is that the Navajo Nation Fair is an event for the people and always has been.

“We are a non-profit event,” explained Fair Manager Norma Bowman. “With any event that is non-for-profit and is as large as the Navajo Nation Fair, there is a risk of losing money.”

“We just feel that with the addiction, poverty and societal indifference that the Navajo people face every day, we owe it to them to put on the best show possible. We’ll just have to keep our costs in check.”

To prove that the Fair is for the people, the Special Events section has announced that it will be providing several free and discounted nights of entertainment. Starting on Tuesday, September 7 at 8 pm, Christian rock bands Mercy Me and Addison Road will be putting on a free concert at the DCJ Memorial Arena, and Wednesday the hit comedy show “49 Laughs” will be performing for a discounted price of $2.

On Thursday at 9:30 pm, Earl Thomas Conley will be putting on a show after the Championship Bull Riding for tickets priced at only $10. If patrons wanted to see both the CBR and Earl Thomas Conley, tickets are going for $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children.

Ronnie Milsap is performing Friday night, after the first performance of the Indian Rodeo, at 9:30 pm and his tickets are going for $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children.

The Special Events section has been able to discount their prices because there are a large number of private sponsors contributing to this year’s Fair according to Economic Development Specialist Ira Vandever.

“Despite all the negative energy that was thrown our way with the audit release last month, people are starting to realize that we are correcting the findings that the audit revealed,” stated Vandever.

“We are taking a smarter approach to the Fair this year, really stressing the idea of being Navajo. There is an identity crisis that is sweeping across our land, and Thoreau is a perfect example. Our children need something to believe in, a solid foundation to stand on.”

“We need the Fair now more than ever to remind ourselves of who we are, or at least find a common ground to stand on. That remains the age old question, ‘Who are we?’”

The 64th Annual Navajo Nation Fair is September 6 – 12, 2010.

For additional information please visit www.navajonationfair.com or call the Special Events Office at 928.871.7053.

9.2.10 Special Events encourages people to “Be Navajo” at Nation’s Fair


9.1.10 Parade falls in line for Navajo Nation Fair


9.1.10 Last chance for baby contest


9.1.10 New age of Natives set to display talents at Navajo Nation Fair

8.3.10 Navajo Nation Fair gets Christian with low prices

6.22.10 Special Review of the 2008 and 2009 Navajo Nation Fair “Constructive Criticism”

6.14.10 A Fair for the People