Booth applications are available now at the chamber of commerce and will be available at local businesses in Peridot, San Carlos and Bylas later this week. San Carlos tribal members receive a half-price discount in booth fees, courtesy of the Apache Gold Casino sponsorship.
In addition to booths, there will be a limited number of demonstration booths for various arts and crafts where in exchange for working at their craft through the day, the vendor fee will be waived.
The downtown corridor of historic Globe will be a pageant of color and sound on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 as the 33rd annual Apache Jii (Day) celebration gets under way.
A full day of entertainment, arts and crafts booths and savory foods is planned for the event, which will held in front of the historic courthouse in downtown Globe. Tribal royalty in full traditional dress and native entertainers from flute players to hoop dancers will be on hand for a day packed with activities. This year, we are working on a live art event where painters will be on a time deadline to finish large scale pieces.
The day begins in the courthouse square at the corner of Broad and Oak, one block east of the US 60 highway. Opening ceremonies feature a traditional Apache prayer, followed with the national anthem sung in Apache.
Booths featuring jewelry, painting, beading, wood and stone carving and more are planned for the street fair. Entertainment, including crown dancers, hoop dancers and native flute players, is planned throughout the day and no one will go hungry if they stop by the food booths which will feature everything from delicious Apache fry bread and Indian tacos to more traditional dishes like acorn stew.
There is no admission charge for Apache Jii; the festival has grown every year and offers a unique chance for visitors to talk one-on-one with Native Americans from throughout the Southwest. There is nothing like choosing a piece of jewelry or artwork after visiting with the artist who designed it.
Apache Jii is hosted by the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Apache Gold Casino and Resort, Hensley Beverage Distributors, APS and the city of Globe.
For information on Apache Jii, call the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce at 928-425-4495.