Elder Fest - A Time for Laughter and Healing

If you want to laugh, come and participate in Elder Fest.

Elder Fest will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026 during the 113th Northern Navajo

Fair at the Shiprock fairgrounds. The fun and excitement will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.

If you have access to the internet and want to start laughing now, go to

www.northernnavajofair.org and check out the Elder Fest flyer.

Is someone missing their sheep?

Or is someone missing a pair of large white-framed sunglasses?

If so, maybe you’ll find your sheep all dolled-up at the Elder Fest.

Speaking of dolls. There will be a first-ever “Dolly Look-a-Like Contest.”

So are there any Navajo blondies out there who want to strut their stuff? Show us what

you got. You just might win the grand prize. What do you have to lose?

Elder Fest Coordinator Donovan T. Andy wants people to laugh.

Come on over, bring your family, bring your friends and let yourself loose and laugh all

that nagging pain away.

Traditional Navajo stories passed on from Navajo elders state that laughter is good

medicine for our soul, mind, body and spirit.

Furthermore, laughter is associated with the Navajo Shoe Game where there is much

laughter in the air. And laughter brings healing.

In fact, modern day studies have cited that laughing is good for everyone.

The fun doesn’t stop there, Elders Fest will also feature a contest called “Auntie’s Biggest

Earrings.”

See who has the largest and finest earrings throughout Navajoland.

The bigger….the better is the motto here.

Make sure you wear your moccasins or shine up those cowboy boots because there will

be lots of music, singing and dancing to get your adrenalin moving.

The Elder Fest will also include games, T-shirts for participants and a luncheon for

elders.

Movement is key to a healthy heart, which can improve your overall health.

The Northern Navajo Fair Elder Fest just may be the most exciting celebration of life for

Navajo elders on the Navajo Nation.

In fact, the Northern Navajo Fair Elders Fest is an event that many Navajo elders look

forward to year after year.

So mark your calendar and make plans to join the excitement. Bring your Grandma and

Grandpa so they can get an opportunity to really laugh and celebrate the joy of living.

Remember to pray and let’s all have a safe and blessed Elders Fest!