Sun Mountain Gathering

Sun Mountain Gathering has been held annually since 2002, is an exploration of Southwestern archaeology and celebrates over 12,000 years of cultural heritage in New Mexico. Native American dancers and musicians will perform throughout the day on spectacular Milner Plaza.

Sun Mountain Gathering has activities for every age and interest. Visitors can learn about archaeology and the ancient technology and traditional arts of Native peoples in the Southwest. Exhibits on archaeology and native foods are planned, along with demonstrations of Native crafts, including pottery making, flint-knapping, friction fire-starting, stone axe use, traditional gardening, and a mock archaeology dig, to name just a few. Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn about traditional arts by trying their hand at forming a coiled pot, making rope from yucca, making and painting a replica of a parfleche, using a traditional pump drill, or making a gourd rattle.

Representatives of Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary will be returning to the Sun Mountain Gathering again this year, affording participants with an opportunity to see and pet a real wolf. In addition, Hawks Aloft will be on hand to present raptor education.

Another main attraction is the Atlatl Range. The atlatl and dart were the first true and natural weapons system of the human race, invented thousands of years before the bow and arrow and used longer by humans than any other weapon system yet developed. Festival visitors may stop by the Atlatl Range to try their hand at spear throwing using replicas of prehistoric atlatls.