Rooted in Tradition, We Rise Together in K’é

SHIPROCK - The 113th Northern Navajo Fair has a new beginning.

 

That’s because there’s a new fair manager, a new fair board, new event coordinators, new event activities and much much more.

 

Taking the helm as the new Northern Navajo Fair manager is Cornfields, Arizona native Frederick H. White who is no stranger to the world of Navajo Nation fairs.

 

Speaking to the new fair board and event coordinators, White emphasized the importance of showcasing the best of Navajo culture and heritage to the world.

 

As a former Navajo Tourism Department director, White knows the Navajo Nation is a primary tourism destination for visitors from throughout the world.

 

And what better way to promote the Navajo Nation than to attract domestic and international visitors to the “Oldest and Most Traditional Navajo Nation Fair - The Northern Navajo Fair,” which is held annually the very first weekend in October in Shiprock, New Mexico.

 

This year, the 113th Annual Northern Navajo Fair will be held October 1-4, 2026. And the theme is “Rooted in Tradition, We Rise Together in K’e.”

 

The Northern Navajo Fair is called the “Oldest and Most Traditional Navajo Fair” because it is held in conjunction with a sacred nine-day healing ceremony called the Yeii Bicheii Ceremony. It is so sacred that no recordings or cameras are allowed.

 

There is a steadfast spiritual connection to traditional Navajo history that is exemplified through the Yeii Becheii Ceremony to the traditional Navajo song and dance to the showcase of unsurpassed artistic art to the smell and taste of hot steam corn stew and kneel down bread to beautifully-adorned babies to elders to a fast-action energizing rodeo and to an inter-tribal pow wow, to name but a few.

 

And of course what’s the Northern Navajo Fair without a parade. The parade alone can last several hours so be prepared and bring your umbrellas, water, snacks, chairs and most importantly, bring your entire family and invite your friends. Yes, you can record and take as many photos as you want at the parade.

 

Some bus tour groups have accidentally attended the fair when their tour buses got caught up in traffic along the parade route. In fact, there has been a time or two, when they just pulled aside and let their passengers watch the parade. It was no doubt an unexpected thrill on their journey through the Navajo Nation.

 

Moreover, there was also a time when German travel writers had the opportunity to participate in the traditional Navajo song and dance. They said this was more exciting than attending a balloon fiesta elsewhere in the state. They said it was the “highlight” of their trip to New Mexico. No kidding.

 

Although the Northern Navajo Fair organizers may have had a late start this year, they hit the ground running.

 

But no worries…There’s a lot of pre-fair buzz and excitement in the air because three very prestigious Navajo celebrities will be making their debut as the parade grand marshals. And they are none other than Dr. Tanisha Begay who is a chiropractor that recently opened her business in Shiprock called Hozho Wellness; Professional Navajo Chef Justin Pioche who is a Food Network Chopped Champion and Rising Star Shíyazh Pete who had the opportunity to play for the Dallas Cowboys.

 

So make sure you get to the parade route before the crack of dawn…as you’ll see, there are a lot of early bird parade attendees. In fact, there are even people who drive five hours or more that morning just to see the parade.

 

It takes a village or community to launch a fair of this magnitude.

 

Northern Navajo Fair organizers have their sleeves rolled up so to speak and are working endless hours to ensure their events launch without a hitch.

 

Give them some slack. Give them a hug. Give them a smile and say thank you. That’s all they need to know their efforts in planning a fair of this magnitude was worth it.

 

So all we need now is to see your smiling faces, your laughter and your warm hug. Come and reunite with your family and friends. See you at the Northern Navajo Fair!