Above, a tee pee set up near the exhibit hall's entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Yesterday morning, I attended the 2025 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park.
First, I went to the rodeo arena to watch women's barrel racing and, later, the calf take-down event. It was sunny and hot, so I limited myself to about an hour and a half out in the sun.
Above, yours truly at the rodeo arena.
Afterwards, I went inside the events center to view the art show. I was surprised that it was limited to just one large room (ballroom-sized) with no exhibits in smaller rooms. There was also very few rug displays that were a highlight in past years. It was mainly paintings, pottery, kachina dolls and jewelry.
The artwork ranged from kids art to adults. One painting was with a Godzilla theme called "Cheiizilla". In Navajo language, here is what cheii means:
In the Navajo (Diné) language, "Cheii" (pronounced "ch-ee-ee") translates to "grandfather" or "maternal grandfather". It specifically refers to the mother's father, according to Navajo tradition. The term is also used to refer to the horned toad, which is considered a spiritual grandfather figure in Navajo culture.
A photo of the painting is below.
Outside, there were some vendors, mainly food and drinks. There were very few vendors selling Native American goods. That was a disappointment.
Anyway, it was good to get out and wander the Ceremonial. It goes on to August 10.
Above, at the 2018 Ceremonial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
One of the annual events taking place in the Gallup, New Mexico area is the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. I have attended every one (except during the pandemic) since I moved to New Mexico seven years ago. This year's Ceremonial starts today.
Above, pottery, rugs and artwork on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
What is the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial?
According to New Mexico Magazine:
Gallup gleams during its annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, which has been happening for more than 100 years with Indigenous attendees from around the country. This year, it takes place August 1–10, featuring processions, powwows, parades, rodeo events, the Ceremonial Queen Pageant, arts and crafts, performances, and traditional dances that showcase the breadth and beauty of Indigenous culture in America. Most of the offerings take place at the under the rusty sandstone cliffs of Red Rock Park just outside of town, but some are in Gallup too. Find a complete schedule on the event’s website.
Above, from the 2019 Ceremonial rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Generally, I attend the Ceremonial's rodeo and take in the art shows and check out what the vendors of various tribes have to offer. It is very enjoyable.
Above, artist Richard Yazzie (a Jamestown resident) poses with his artwork. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Above, Wade Tuni's winning ride. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
At last Saturday night's Gallup Lions Club Rodeo, I lucked out and photographed the winning ride of bull rider Wade Tuni.
Above, another shot of Wade Tuni's winning ride. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
The Navajo Times reported that Tuni took home prize money totalling $4,440.
They reported:
CHURCH ROCK, N.M.
The annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo never disappoints as cowboys and cowgirls compete for a shipload of cash.
The biggest winner to emerge from the 75th edition was Wade Tuni as he collected a whopping $4,440, which included ground money.
Of the 36 entries, Tuni was the only one to cover his bull as he rode 100X for 82 points in Saturday night’s performance.
“I was the first one out and it was a pretty nice one,” Tuni said of his draw. “He was a pretty good bull to start off with. I just came out with a bang, so it came out pretty good.”
Rodeo season has opened in Gallup, New Mexico. I attended the rodeo last evening at Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena. It is the 75th year Diamond Jubilee rodeo.
As I've mentioned several times, this is my favorite time of the year in New Mexico. The rodeo last night also included a dance and fireworks. I didn't stay for them. But I did enjoy several events that took place.
The rodeo started at 7:00 last night.
Rodeo season here continues next weekend when the Best of the Best Rodeo featuring contestants from junior high and high schools takes place at the same venue.
Rodeo season is kicking off with this weekend's Lions Club Rodeo at Red Rock Park.
Next weekend, the Best of the Best Rodeo, also at Red Rock Park, will be taking place.
From Rodeoticket:
Join us in Gallup, New Mexico at Red Rock Park from Wednesday, June 21, through Saturday, June 24, 2023, as America’s top junior high and high school rodeo athletes compete for big cash payouts and prizes. The Best of the Best Timed Event Rodeo offers eight timed events, including barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling. In addition, there will be a special parent-contestant team roping and ribbon roping competition.
The contestants are from junior high and high schools. Don't let that dissuade you from attending. They put on a great show!
This is the time of the year that I really enjoy living in New Mexico.
Rodeo season is almost upon us in the Gallup, New Mexico area. This is my favorite times of the year in New Mexico.
So far, these are the rodeos scheduled:
The Gallup Lions Club Youth and Open Show Rodeo, a historic event with rough stock and timed events, is scheduled for June 12-14, 2025, and the Best of the Best Rodeo, featuring junior and high school athletes, will be held from June 21-24, 2025.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Gallup Lions Club Youth and Open Show Rodeo:
Dates:June 12-14, 2025
Features:Rough stock and timed events, wooly and steer riding
Stock Contractor:Casper Baca Rodeo Company
Youth Rodeo Start Time:5:00 PM on Thursday, June 12th
Open Show Rodeo Start Time:7:00 PM on Friday, June 13th
Morning Slack:9:00 AM on Saturday, June 14th
Saturday Open Show Rodeo Start Time:7:00 PM
Best of the Best Rodeo:
Dates:June 21-24, 2025
Location:Red Rock Park in Gallup, New Mexico
Participants:America's top junior high and high school rodeo athletes
Events:Eight timed events, including barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling
Special Competitions:Parent-contestant team roping and ribbon roping
I have to time it so that I can get from Cody over to Little Bighorn Battlefield by Sunday, July 15. The Battlefield will only be open on Fridays through Sundays this summer due to construction.
I hope to be in Cody by around July 8 so that I can see other things while in town like the Cody Firearms Museum and the Cody Nite Rodeo.
This is the only time constraint I have for the trip. After Little Bighorn, I plan to head east to Devil's Tower National Monument and then roam around the Black Hills of South Dakota at my leisure. I received a vacation package yesterday from the South Dakota tourism association.
Above, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
The cost of living in New Mexico was much better before the Biden Administration took office in 2021. Still, the state is much cheaper than in California where I moved from.
WorldAtlas has posted a list of eight cost-effective town in New Mexico for retirees.
Gallup is included in the list. I live 18 miles east of it.
The article starts with:
Move over, Florida, because New Mexico is becoming the go-to retirement destination! The temperate climate, lower taxes, and stunning blend of mountains and plateaus puts this Western state on the map for one of the best places to spend your golden years. These towns offer all the benefits of living in the Land of Enchantment but with a much lower cost of living. So, if you’re looking for the perfect spot to settle down and live life to the fullest, these 8 cost-effective New Mexico towns will help you live the good life without draining your 401k!
Here's what they posted about Gallup:
The Old West is still alive and well in Gallup! With its vintage shops along the tree-lined streets and friendly locals, it won’t take you long to become a local here. With an average home price of around $239,000 and the cost of living 22 percent lower than the national average, it’s a surprisingly affordable town to call home. Everything seniors need can be found downtown, from highly rated hospitals like Rehoboth Mckinley Christian Health Care Services to the RMCHCS Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.
Take in the magnificent beauty of Red Rock Park and hike the accessible trails that take you through red rock canyons and rock formations, where you can even catch a glimpse of Fort Wingate in the distance. Gallup is also near the Zuni Mountains in Cibola National Forest. There, you can hike over 25 miles of rolling plateaus and flowering meadows. With its senior-friendly facilities, affordability, and natural wonders, there are so many reasons to pick Gallup as your forever home.
For vacationing this summer, I am considering heading up to Wyoming and western South Dakota (the Black Hills region).
During this trip, I am thinking about starting off in Cody, Wyoming. I may have driven through it at one time, but I am not too sure. But Cody is worth a visit if one is interested in firearms. There is the Cody Firearms Museum - Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The museum features an extensive collection of firearms. The Winchester Arms Collection is the heart of the museum. See video above.
Also in Cody next year, is the Winchester Arms Collectors Association Show that will be held on July 11-13, 2025. This show looks to be worth attending. I have three Winchesters: Winchester 62A that I inherited from my grandfather, Winchester 94 that I bought in 2019 and a Winchester Model 12 that I bought last April. If I decide to go on this trip, I'll time it so that I can attend the show.
About the Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA):
The Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation with a worldwide membership of over 3,000 individuals. WACA was organized in July 1977, incorporated February 21, 1978 in the State of Montana and has been NRA affiliated (#G8143) since 1978.
Our members are devoted to the preservation, understanding and collecting of Winchester firearms and related products as well as the role these products had in forging America’s heritage.
The Winchester Collector, a quarterly publication, is dedicated to the collecting of Winchester Firearms and related Memorabilia. It includes Winchester related articles, highlights from our shows and events, as well as calendar updates and classified ads. We encourage our members to contribute to our publications, as we showcase our members’ favorite Winchesters.
We currently produce the WACA Show in Cody, WY, and as an association attend shows in Wilmington, OH, West Springfield, MA, and Las Vegas, NV.
For more information on the Winchester Arms Collectors Association, go here.
During the summer, there is the Cody Nite Rodeo. Cody calls itself the "Rodeo Capital of the World". The Cody Nite Rodeo is an amateur rodeo held every night from June 1 through August 31.
I am thinking about starting the vacation in Cody, then head east to the Black Hills.
Above, a contestant in the women's breakaway event. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Last night, Mitch Geriminsky and I attended the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Rodeo at Red Rock Park near Gallup.
It looked as though it would rain, but it didn't. This was probably why there was a sparse crowd.
Above, Mitch and I at the rodeo.
The rodeo started a little late as they organizers were waiting for color guards with the flags. They never showed up. But they did play the national anthem.
Above, bull-riding at the 2021 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
With many sports going "woke", such as football, baseball and others, there is one sport that prides itself as being patriotic without any hesitation: rodeos.
According to an article in Sentient Media, while circuses and marine parks are declining, rodeos are more popular than ever.
They begin with:
Today, rodeos big and small draw crowds across North America. Spectators looking to indulge in cowboy culture gather to watch man versus beast in a display of traditional ranching skills and techniques. Whether it’s a small town gathering, a massive event for millions or a traveling show not unlike the circus or professional wrestling, rodeos have evolved over time into a popular spectacle.
But the trend is not without controversy.
As a matter of fact, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial opens this week and it includes a rodeo. A friend and I are attending the rodeo this coming Saturday evening.
