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Annual
Ancient Way Fall Festival Features Creativity, Tradition
of Northwest New Mexico
The landscape in western New
Mexico around Gallup offers abundant support for the
name of Red Rock State Park.
Photo courtesy New Mexico Tourism Department by Gary
Romero
Discover one of New Mexico's best-kept secrets - the
celebration of community, culture and scenic beauty of
the Ancient Way Arts Trail in the Zuni Mountains -
during two Ancient Way Fall Festival weekends, October
2, 2010, and October 9, 2010.
October 2nd at El Morro includes a combined Ancient Way
Arts Festival, as well as the Ramah Farmers Market &
Harvest Festival that features local arts, food, crafts,
music, traditional dances and the opportunity to meet
artists directly. October 9th at Zuni Pueblo features a
Fall Arts Market with traditional dances, along with the
annual Human/Horse Relay and the Ansele:mo Run. Also on
October 9th, at El Malpais Information Center (18 miles
east of El Morro National Monument), visitors have the
opportunity to see Ramah Navajo Weavers Association
members demonstrate the traditional wool processes that
go into making a beautiful Navajo weaving; see the rare
ancestral Navajo-churro sheep that grow the wool for
Ramah Navajo weavings; and purchase quality,
one-of-a-kind weavings. The weavers' demonstration will
be held in conjunction with the Center's annual open
house and book sale.
“Fall is when the pine-covered sandstone mesa country of
west central New Mexico is most beautiful - the days are
cool and sunny and the flowers are at their peak,” said
Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism
Department. “The folks along State Road 53, from Grants
to Zuni, open their doors for an 80-mile-long party. I
cannot think of a more fascinating and fun-filled way to
spend a couple of fall weekends.”
Cultures as varied as Navajo, Zuni, Hispanic, Anglo and
Mormon create works of world-class reputation.
The route itself in the southern link of the state's
most recently designated scenic byway, the Trail of the
Ancients Byway.
The Ancient Way was the traditional route between the
Pueblos of Zuni and Acoma. Along this path came the
Zuni, the Hopi and Acoma and all of the other Pueblo
traders and travelers. It was the route taken by
Coronado's expedition and other conquistadors in search
of treasure. The Cavalry and settlers also traveled the
route on journeys west.
In recognition of this region’s uniqueness, the New
Mexico Arts Division (a division of the New Mexico
Department of Cultural Affairs) has designated the
Ancient Way Arts Trail from Gallup to Zuni to Grants as
the state's first multi-art trail, with some 30
participating sites representing more than 650 artists.
The trail also serves as a portal to the thousands of
active artists and dozens of art businesses and trading
posts.
Immerse yourself in creativity, beauty and tradition
during the Ancient Way Fall Festival.
For more information call (505) 782-7238 or visit
www.ancientwayartstrail.com
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