Balloon launch canceled but entertainment continues

By Shine Salt

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

MONUMENT VALLEY –In a shoe game, 102 Yucca stems laid on the side, four pairs of shoes were dug within the wet dirt and a yucca ball was placed with them.

“Back in the beginning when the universe was being set up, there was total darkness at one time then it was day,” said Roy V. Smith from Big Mountain, Ariz. “They were divided but there was a disagreement on when to have night and days the longest, so they played the shoe game.”

Coyote wanted to be part of day or night team, continued Smith.

“The two teams kept telling Coyote to go to the other team, so to this day, you’ll see Coyote during night and day,” he said as the crowd laughed.

At the 5th Annual Monument Valley Balloon Event, the balloon launch was canceled due to weather. But other events continued with Native entertainment.

Music by Todi Neesh Zhee Singers, Razor Saltboy, J-Stylez, students from Monument Valley High School who played Native flutes and Joe Tohonnie, Jr. and the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers echoed down the valley.

“All their songs were cool,” said Phillarena Begay from Round Rock, Ariz. “This is the first time I saw them perform but the whole event was beautiful,”

From White River, Ariz., the crown dancers performed for the crowd while Tohonnie sang his healing songs.

“We have people who are ill or going through a lot and they need prayers and blessings,” said Tohonnie Jr. “That’s what the songs are mainly about. To bring in the happiness and joy to them.”

Todi Neesh Zhee Singers sang one of their award winning songs, “Terminator” and explained to the crowd why females dance on the inside.

“The men are on the outside to protect their woman,” said one of the singers. “Come and dance to get some bad spirits out of you.”

Down the valley, riders were getting ready on a breezy, cold Sunday morning to trail ride by rocks known as Big Chief, Sentinel Mesa, and the East and West Mittens.

“The trail riders, once they get on the horse they enjoy it,” said Larry Holiday, who helped at the event. “In rain, snow, or if the sun is shining. Nothing will stop riders from doing a trail ride.”

“Yes, it would’ve been nice to have the balloons, but it doesn’t take anything away,” said James Bilagody, who was the announcer during the event. “This is one of the Wonders of the World. It should be that the world comes to us.”