Arizona American Indian Festival 2020 coming to Scottsdale, Feb. 8

Two-Day Festival Pays Homage to City of Scottsdale’s Arizona American Indian Heritage

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  — On Saturday, February 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association (AAITA) — in partnership with Arizona’s 22 Native American tribes along with the City of Scottsdale — hosts its annual Arizona Indian Festival.

The Arizona American Indian Tourism Association (AAITA) is excited to partner with Arizona’s 22 Native American Tribes and the City of Scottsdale in the coordination of AAITA’s annual Arizona Indian Festival beginning February 8^th, 10am-6pm, and February 9^th, 10am-4pm, 2020! Located in the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza held in conjunction with Scottsdale’s Western Week and Parada del Sol events, the Arizona Indian Festival is unique in its format and ability to present  Arizona’s 22 tribes in its program and event footprint that includes traditional Indian Villages recreated on the Civic Center lawn, Tribal Royalty from many tribes as organized by the Miss Indian Arizona Association including Audriana Mitchell, Miss Indian Arizona 2019-2020, Traditional Arts and Crafts demonstrations, Native  Food Vendors, Apache Riders/Warriors (Showman Horse Riders), Champion Native Rodeo Cowboys, Native  Mainstage Entertainment representative of many tribes and Tribal Travel and Tourism offices showcasing their Native destinations.

Attendees experiencing the Arizona Indian Festival and its traditional food, to storytelling, to traditional dancing, singing and traditional dwellings represented within the village area, will walk away fascinated by the native beauty that Arizona has to offer.

 “I’ve had the privileged to coordinate entertainment on the main stage for eight years now, we showcase traditional dancing and songs for everyone to enjoy, we also welcome audience to partake in the social dances. Through our songs and dances, we share the energy of celebration and healing. We would like to invite you and your family to our non-admission Arizona Indian Festival during Scottsdale Western Week. Each day of the event brings indigenous songs, traditional dancing, arts & crafts from twenty-two different Arizona tribes. Be a part of this very unique celebration with native Arizona, join in some social dancing and a variety of native cuisine,” said Geri Hongeva President of the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association.

“This event gives us an opportunity to showcase the dynamic Native communities and multitude of tribes thriving here in Scottsdale today and also allows us to educate the residents and visitors of Scottsdale about these tribes and their important role in the City’s rich heritage,” said Hongeva. “We are proud to represent such a vibrant group of peoples and share their stories that have shaped the past.”

Held at Scottsdale Civic Center, located at 7375 East 2^nd Street, the Arizona Indian Festival offers a platform for tribal and cultural tourism and awareness of Arizona’s indigenous communities through an interactive, entertaining and educational two-day festival featuring Indian villages, tribal royalty, authentic arts and crafts from Native American artisans, traditional food vendors, travel and tourism vendors and live entertainment including storytelling, dancing, singing, music and more.

In addition to the festival, the AAITA hosts the Arizona Native Edible Experience, a unique Native tasting experience held in a cocktail-style setting featuring contemporary Native artists and artists, exquisite Native chef tasting stations featuring both traditional as well as fusions foods and cocktails. This curated event reflects upon the rich tapestry of Native Arizona through its food, music, people, culture and history and brings together the many Native communities represented throughout the state. Held Saturday, February 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, the Arizona Native Edible Experience also features a silent auction benefiting AAITA. Cost is $25 and tickets are available via www.arizonanativeexperience.com .

These events are held in conjunction with the City of Scottsdale’s Western Week, a nine-day cultural celebration that features a number of exciting, engaging and educational events dedicated to recognizing the City’s rich past. Dating back more than 130 years, to the original farming and ranching operations that eventually inspired its nickname as “The West’s Most Western Town,” Scottsdale recognizes a vibrant “Wild West” past including farmers, ranchers, cowboys and native Indian communities.

While Old Town has become significantly more sophisticated with an array of local boutiques, art galleries, fine dining establishments, wineries and craft breweries, the city maintains its Old West charm and heritage, which is celebrated during Western Week. For more about the Festival and the Arizona Native Edible Experience, visit; www.arizonaindiantourism.org; for more about Western Week, visit www.scottsdalewesternweek.com.

About the AAITA: The Arizona American Indian Tourism Association is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that since 1994 has been dedicated to increasing tribal tourism initiatives by working with Arizona tribes and businesses. The organization facilitates and hosts events for tribal and non-tribal members, forums on tourism issues, and maintains a reliable network of industry leaders to assist tribes in the development of their own tourism programs. Its mission is to promote the development of tribal tourism in Arizona while respecting the cultural integrity of the tribes. For more: www.arizonaindiantourism.org