Miss Gila River joins Ak-Chin Christmas parade

Kyle Knox
Gila River Indian News

The Ak-Chin Indian Community held its 2019 Masik Tas Light Parade Dec 7. The parade is in conjunction with their 2019 Masik Tas Celebration, where Miss Gila River Tyler Owens supported the celebration by participating in the parade.

Despite falling rains and cold temperatures, over 30 floats lined the Ak-Chin housing roads in preparation for the 1-mile parade route through the community via Farrell Rd. Miss Gila River Tyler Owens traveled the route in a pickup truck adorned with lights and a vatho.

The parade featured numerous floats from Ak-Chin Departments and schools as well as other royalty from several tribes. Some tribal royalty courts in attendance were Mr. and Miss Indian Arizona State University, Miss Tohono O'odham Nation, and theMiss Indian Arizona Court, featuring 2nd Attendant and Community Member Autumn Cooper.

The light parade closed day one of the 2019 Masik Tas. The Ak-Chin Celebration would continue the following weekend, where they hosted a Rodeo, Vaila, and cultural dances, wrapping up with a concert featuring Ramon Ayala.