This weekend, Globe will hold its 35th annual Apache Jii (Day) celebration.

The event first started as a thank you to the San Carlos Apache Nation, which borders Globe to the east.

Admission is free to the celebration, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in front of the courthouse, at the corner of Broad and Oak Streets, one block east of Highway 60.

Opening ceremonies will feature the national anthem sung in the Apache language.

Ellen Kretsch, director of the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce, has been involved with the Apache Jii celebration since 2006.

As far as the weather, “we’ve had everything from 102 degrees to snow and rain during the event,” said Kretsch, adding that the celebration goes on rain or shine. “One year it was so cold we put out barrels with wood burning in them to keep people warm.”

The event is set up with the historic courthouse at the center, stretching one block each way, she said.

This year, several dance groups, including the Yellow Bird Apache and the Dine’tah Navajo Dancers, will be at the center of the street festival throughout the day.

The event will also feature Crown Dancers, as well as flute players and musicians.

“Chat with colorfully-dressed tribal royalty from throughout the Southwest and enjoy their educational and entertaining presentations in the central performance area,” Kretsch said.

The street fair is slated to include booths featuring jewelry, painting, beading, wood and stone carving and more.

“No one will go hungry if they stop by the food booths, which will feature everything from delicious Apache fry bread and Indian tacos to more traditional dishes like acorn stew,” she said.

Entertainment, including the crown dancers, hoop dancers and native flute players, is also planned to take place throughout the day.

“The festival offers a unique chance for visitors to talk one-on-one with Native Americans from throughout the Southwest, making this an opportunity to purchase a very personal gift or art piece,” Kretsch said. “There is nothing like choosing a work after visiting with the artist who designed it.”

Apache Jii is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Apache Gold Casino and Resort, APS, Resolution Copper, Salt River Project and the City of Globe.

For more information or to obtain a vendor space, call the Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-804-5623.

The tentative entertainment schedule for the 2018 Apache Jii Festival, in Downtown Globe, is as follows:

Opening ceremonies:

9 a.m. — Color Guard, Globe High School JROTC

National anthem by Anaya Brown

Welcome by Globe Mayor Al Gameros

Thank you to sponsors by President Erica Muniz

Introduction of Emcee Ardell Ganilla

Intro of Royalty

Opening of the booths

Flute Player Robert Wilson (after opening)

9:20 a.m. — Cibecue Elementary Dancers

9:45 a.m. — Loren Pina and the Mountain Spirit Dancers

10:15 a.m. — Dineh’tah Dancers

10:45 a.m. — Nobert Allen, flute

11:15 a.m. — Yellow Bird Dancers

11:45 a.m. — Cibecue Elementary Dancers

12:15 p.m. — Belferd Chissay Dancers

12:45 p.m. — Israel Hill Dancers

1:15 p.m. — Dineh’tah Dancers

1:45 p.m. — Loren Pina and Mountain Spirit Dancers

2:15 p.m. — Belferd Chissay Crown Dancers

2:45 p.m. — Yellow Bird

3:30 p.m. — Israel Hill, social singing

4 p.m. — Robert Wilson, flute

Silver Belt Editor David Abbott contributed to this report.