The Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA) is pleased to announce the return of the annual Life at Chimney Rock Festival, taking place Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Chimney Rock National Monument.
Thanks to a special waiver from the U.S. Forest Service, this year’s festival will once again be fee-free, offering visitors the opportunity to experience this vibrant cultural event without paying an entrance fee.
The Life at Chimney Rock Festival provides a unique, hands-on experience for families and history enthusiasts alike. Visitors can explore the traditions and daily life of the Ancestral Puebloans through interactive demonstrations led by CRIA volunteers.
Activities include yucca pounding, coil pottery, rock art creation, weaving, corn grinding and atlatl spear throwing. Educational demonstrations in astronomy, flint knapping, and dendrochronology will also be featured, along with opportunities to sample traditional foods such as Anasazi beans.
Festival goers can enjoy a variety of food offerings from on-site vendors. A highlight of the weekend is the Native American Market, showcasing artwork from talented artists representing the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, Santo Domingo and Santa Clara, as well as the Navajo, Jicarilla Apache and Southern Ute nations.
Of special interest are the cultural dance performances that will take place throughout the weekend in the amphitheater. The Roach Family Dancers of Gallup, N.M., will perform at 11 a.m. on both days, followed by the Fragua Family of the Jemez Pueblo at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to festival activities, visitors will have free access to all regular monument amenities, including self-guided tours of cultural sites, the nature trail and the Visitor Plaza. The monument will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days.
CRIA invites the public to join in celebrating the living history of the Ancestral Puebloans at this engaging and educational event.
For more information on tours, programs, and event schedules, or to plan your visit, please go to www.ChimneyRockCo.org. Reservations are required for many of the tours.
CRIA and the San Juan National Forest of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, are working in partnership to preserve and develop educational opportunities about the significant archaeological, cultural, geological and biological resources at Chimney Rock National Monument.
CRIA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer association and receives no funding from the U.S. government. For more information, see the CRIA website at www.chimneyrockco.org or call (970) 731-7133.
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