2/12/2011 3rd Annual American Indian Music Fest

We were up and out early this morning as we wanted to be at the opening ceremonies for the 3rd Annual American Indian Music Festival held at the Casa Grande Ruins.

We were at the Ruins a couple of years ago with Delaware friends Bobby and Shelley. To see more pictures of the Ruins click HERE.

We made the half hour trek with no problems and little traffic and pulled into the Walmart parking lot to pick up the shuttle just minutes before it arrived.

We really didn’t know what to expect but were most interested in seeing the River Basket Dancers perform. I was told that it would be very colorful as the dancers hold streamers when they dance. I had a fresh battery in the camera!

When we first arrived there weren’t many people in the vendors area.

The vendors consisted mostly of flute makers/sellers, jewelry, pottery and carvers.

We weren’t in the market for a flute and the carvings pictured above were really on the pricey side and we’ve already bought the pieces of pottery that we want. So we weren’t spending any money here.

There was one booth that really held our attention. It was a bird rescue organization that brought some of their rescue-ees with them.

I believe this one is an American Kestrel.

A hawk, but I don’t know what kind.

All of the birds are very comfortable with their handlers and really seem to enjoy the crowd around them.

This turkey buzzard has a four foot wing span.

It was like on cue that they spread their wings for picture takers.

We made our way back to the ruins where the stage was set up, this is all that’s left of a four story structure built back in the late 1200’s or early 1300’s.

When we reached the stage area we sat down on one of the bales of hay that were set around for seating. There were chairs too but there weren’t any left when we got there.

Terry Travis, a man well known for his music in the American Indian culture was on stage and oh my gosh can he play the flute! Not only is he a great musician he has quite the personality and kept us all entertained as he told the story of how important flutes were and are in his culture.

We listened to a few more flutists and then John Bear was brought on stage. The saxophone has Kenny G,,,,,the wooden flute has John Bear. We could have sat and listened to him for hours!

This young girl watched with total admiration.

It was an hour or so into the show when it was announced that the River Basket Dancers would not be performing. No reason was given other than they weren’t going to be there. I was so disappointed as this was the main thing I wanted to see.

This portion of the show done so we headed back to the vendors area. It was much more crowded by now.

Bob wanted something to eat so he got in line and I went to secure seating at one the picnic tables. We sat with a couple from Iowa who were just full of questions when they asked where we were from and I told them we were RV’ers. They too were in a motor home but are only here for two months and then will return home. They said they just couldn’t imagine not having their home. Of course they lived in a log cabin on a lake so I can see their point.

Lunch done, we headed back to the Bird Rescue station as they brought more birds out.

This is Bailey. She is sunning herself.

Bailey thinks she is a human. The handler explained that Bailey was born in captivity in a zoo and when she hatched the first thing she saw was a zookeeper. If she had seen a dog first she would think she’s a dog. An elephant? Yep, she would think she’s an elephant. She was handfed for some reason and now can’t be let go as she can’t find food on her own. I forget what happened to her mother.

She was really taking advantage of her audience and chose this time to start preening.

Since it was one o’clock and the next show didn’t start until three, and there wasn’t anything to hold our attention, we decided to go. We ran a few errands on the way home and settled in for dinner. Bob ate junk and I had a baloney sandwich. No cooking at the Quinn’s this night.