59th Annual Mul-Chu-Tha Fair & Rodeo returns to Community

April 7, 2023 

 

By: GRIN Staff

 

 

After three years, the 59th Annual Mul-Chu-Tha returned to the Community with rave fanfare bringing forth similar delights the Community has come to expect March 17-19 in Sacaton.  This year’s theme was “Celebrating our Strength and Resilience as One.” It drew over 100,000 guests over the three-day event, a record. 

 

The first day began with Community Day, March 17, a celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of various Community members and award recipients from the Tribal Education Dept’s (TED) Art and Essay contest.  And for this day, guests were treated to free rides and dinner. 

 

“Welcome home and welcome back, it’s like a reunion being here today with you again. It’s so great to bring our Community back together after three years, let’s remember how strong we are as a Community while we come together and celebrate this weekend,” said Governor Stephen Roe Lewis at the opening of the Community Day gathering.  

 

Lt. Governor Monica Antone said, “It’s really great to be with you all again, we have many people to thank for allowing us to come together including our organizer, first responders, and Community Council, and GRIC leadership for making this year possible,” as she welcomed everyone at the opening.  

 

During Community Day special recognition of Community members took place for Alfred “Joker” Jones and Monica Domingo, who received the Elder of the Year Awards.  And for this year’s Veterans of the Year award, the Community’s Purple Heart Recipients were awarded: Ernie Bread, Gary Rodriguez, Bruce Hutchinson, Van Johnson, and David Molina.

 

Many of the Community’s youth also showcased their talents during the Community day.  During this time, TED highlighted the winners of their Mul-Chu-Tha Art and Essay Contest for students, grades 4th-12th.  

 

Art contest winners 

4th-5th Grade

  • 1st place, Jorge Angel Valenzuela Jr., Casa Blanca Community School
  • 2nd place, Dadrian Scott, Gila Crossing Community School 
  • 3rd place, Kiera Mark, Sacaton Elementary School. 

Grades 5th-8th

  • 1st place Tahani Barehand, Gila Crossing Community School 
  • 2nd place, *student from Sacaton Middle School
  • 3rd place, Aidan Carvajal, Gila Crossing Community School. 

Grades 9th-12th 

  • 1st place, *student from Desert Hills High School 
  • 2nd place, Alianna Pio, Primavera High School
  • 3rd third Francis Histia, Casa Grande Union High School.  

*Student’s names have been withheld that did not file a waiver for publication.

 

Essay Contest Winners 

Grades 4th-5th 

  • 1st place, Jacoby Miguel, Sacaton Elementary School 
  • 2nd place, Mailana Piedra, Desert Willow Elementary School 
  • 3rd place *student from Sacaton Elementary School. 

Grades 6th-8th

  • 1st place, Bria Hutchinson, Sacaton Middle School
  • 2nd place, Gavin Molina, Coolidge Jr. High School 
  • 3rd place, Monty Vincent, Sacaton Middle School.

Grades 9th-12th

  • 1st place, Sayuri Jackson, Hamilton High School
  • 2nd place, Marisa Rodriguez, Coolidge High School
  • 3rd place Natalie Madril, Casa Grande Union High School. 

*Student’s names have been withheld that did not file a waiver for publication.

 

Another highlight was the introduction of the newly crowned Gila River Royalty Court to the Community during a coronation dance rounding out the first day.  For the occasion, Two Rivers vaila band performed for the audience while royalty, Community members, and guests danced and socialized.  In addition, former title holders were recognized on a photo slideshow throughout the evening, commemorating the Miss Gila River’s sixty-year history.

 

“Thank you so much for coming out and celebrating us,” said 2023-24 Jr. Miss Gila River Eleanor Lynch.

 

“It’s so good to see you all, I’m thankful you all are here, I’ve missed the Mul-Chu-Tha,” said 2023-24 Miss Gila River Lehua Lani Dosela. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis was present and performed the first dance with Miss Gila River. 

 

“Tonight, we are here for the new court, I just want to say congratulations to all of them.  I’m very proud of them for taking such a healthy risk and representing you all,” said former Jr. Miss Gila River Eliana Rhodes 2022-23. 

 

Gov. Lewis gifted Rhodes with a necklace made by GRIC artist Aaron Sabori. 

 

“I think they were such a dynamic team this past year, they did so many different events and they went to other tribal events across Arizona,” said Gov. Lewis, who thanked the former Gila River Royalty court. 

 

Then on Saturday, in true fashion, hundreds of families lined up along Bluebird Road for the annual Mul-Chu-Tha parade.  Gifts, department swag, and candy showered the audience members.  This year’s grand parade marshals were the Community’s first responders, honoring their tireless commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

 

For the rest of the weekend, Community members and guests filled the Mul-Cha-Tha fairgrounds at record numbers to enjoy games, rides, competitions, cultural performances, and entertainment. 

 

Over the weekend, the powwow, rodeo, and cultural circle featured some standout performances for all to enjoy.  Then the sounds of vaila music filled the Community tent area for the annual Battle of the Bands, where all could enjoy and dance throughout the weekend. 

 

On Saturday, March 18, the “Sac City Throwdown” skateboarding competition hosted by Seven Layer Army returned at the District 3 skatepark.  The contest was open to youth ages 7-18.  All winners received a specially designed skateboard by O’otham artist Marcus “Breeze” Thomas.

 

And to cap off each night, the main stage featured two acts that drew hundreds for a night to remember.  First, on Saturday, March 18, nineties R&B and legends En Vogue performed hit after hit from their catalog for the crowd.  Then on Sunday, March 19, the multi-platinum country entertainer Sara Evans performed on the main stage to close out the last night of Mul-Chu-Tha weekend.

 

For a full listing of contest winners and photos from the entire weekend go to www.facebook.com/mulchutha.