© Dale Tsosie

© Dale Tsosie

© Native Image Photography

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Day 2

7 a.m Parade Line-up: For two hours, hundreds of floats line up along Highway 264 to prepare for this huge event. 100,000 spectators gather along the parade route in anticipation of the parade.

9 a.m. Parade: The parade usually lasts 1-2 hours. With 180 entries, this year’s parade stretched over 4 hours. The numerous floats -- pulled by horses and on trucks -- are judged on how well they represent the fair’s theme, "Beauty and Harmony from this Day Forward."

1:30 p.m. Wild Horse Race: This is the first year for the Wild Horse Race. Participants must saddle a wild horse -- one that has NEVER been ridden -- and try to ride it from one end of the arena to the other. This is the "wildest" event to take place in the rodeo arena.

The Rodeo is the largest Native American rodeo in the US and Canada. Accordingly, most of the big names in Native American Rodeo come to the event to compete in eight events: bareback, saddle bronco, bull riding, calf riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and breakaway roping. The rodeo started as a way for Native American ranchers to sharpen their skills. Only Native Americans can enter. Winners receive cash prizes.

7 p.m. Miss Navajo Nation Coronation: The competition started in 1952 as a little more than a popularity contest decided by the loudest applause. But, it has evolved over the years to become very prestigious. Miss Navajo Nation travels and represents Navajos across the country. She is responsible for bridging the gap between the outside world and the Navajo Nation, as well as serving as a role model for young people everywhere.

To earn her post, Miss Navajo must participate in a five-day competition. She must demonstrate knowledge and skills in traditional Navajo teachings - the teachings of mothers and grandmothers of the Navajo people, fluency in Navajo and English languages, and knowledge of Navajo culture, tradition and heritage. She must also butcher a sheep and cook it in the traditional way. The Coronation is the final event. When it is over, Miss Navajo drives off in her "get-away" car that has been adorned with Pendelton shawls given to her by family and friends. The new Miss Navajo is chauffeured through the fairgrounds. Eventually, she makes her way to the Pow Wow and Social Dance Arena. This year, Miss Navajo joined in the Navajo Fall Harvest Dance, an Aztec Fire Dance, and a Zuni rain dance.