Navajo Nation Band

Navajo Nation Band treks from Arizona to Oklahoma to march in the Red Earth Festival parade

Featuring a dance competition, art market, youth activities, cultural cuisine and more, the 26th annual Red Earth Festival continues Saturday and Sunday to the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

By Brandy McDonnellWhile American Indian princesses clambered aboard sports cars, riders mounted their paint horses, and tribal chiefs donned their traditional finery, occasional horn blasts, flute trills and snare riffs sounded Friday morning from the parking lot of the Peacock Restaurant.

Fresh off a bus from Window Rock, Ariz., the Navajo Nation Band was preparing to join the Red Earth Festival parade.

“It’s a huge event. One reason why we agreed to come on out here is to get more exposure, and we have some Navajos who do reside out in this area, (and it’s) just to give them that proud, warm feeling,” director Darwyn D. Jackson said.

The parade annually kicks off the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival in downtown. Featuring a dance competition, art market, youth activities, cultural cuisine and more, the 26th annual festival continues Saturday and Sunday at the Cox Convention Center.Comment:  For more on Navajo bands, see Navajo Metal Band Salvation's Lost and Blackfire Embodies Social Change.

Below:  "The Navajo Nation Band performs at the Myriad Botanical Gardens during the Red Earth Festial in Oklahoma City on Friday. Photos by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman."