PLANTS & PEOPLE
OF THE SONORAN DESERT
CELEBRATION D E S E R T B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N
Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 15-16, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate Arizona’s Native American communities at the Garden with storytelling, music, dance and culture.
MUSIC & PERFORMANCES Ottosen Entry Garden Madeline Gishey | Fancy Shawl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–11:45 a.m. Javier Reyes | Traditional Dance Performance.11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Nicholas Littleman | Men’s Fancy War Dance ������������������� 12:45–2 p.m.
The Pavilion at Sunset Plaza Aarick Mack | Bird Singing and Dancing ������������������������������� 10–11 a.m. Chi’Chino Spirit O’odham Dance Group | Culture Sharing Dances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. GertieNtheT.O.Boyz | Tohono O’odham Waila ����������������������� 2–4 p.m.
Boppart Courtyard Yellowbird Apache Dancers | Native American Song and Dance. . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tomahawk Bang | DJ Set ������������������������������������������������������������� 1–4 p.m.
Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail Aaron White | Native American Flute/Acoustic Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES Dorrance Hall OXDX Clothing | Screenprint Postcards
Boppart Courtyard AZ(LAND) | Embroidery Art Activity
Cactus Clubhouse Three Sisters Seed Collage Craft | Learn about companion gardening and the agricultural wisdom of the Three Sisters (corn, beans and squash). Join us at the Clubhouse for engaging, handson activities for kids and families during the festival! Enjoy open play hours alongside themed crafts and learning opportunities inspired by Indigenous traditions.
Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail Mesquite Pitch Painting | The mesquite tree is one of the most iconic and widely utilized, trees in the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the process of creating paint from the pitch of this tree and paint your own small terra-cotta pot to take home!
DISCOVERY STATIONS Gardenwide Discovery Stations will be featured throughout the trail to help visitors understand some of the most important plants utilized by people in the Sonoran Desert, both in the past and today. Learn about the various ways that desert flora is used for food, shelter, tools, fabric dyes and more. Agave, mesquite, yucca, prickly pear and saguaro will all be highlighted at these hands-on stations.
MARKETPLACE Dorrance Hall Big Water Creations | 3 tier skirts, ribbon skirts, beaded earrings, beaded hats, beaded purses and hats ByNEEKO | Hand fabricated sterling silver/metal jewelry with Turquoise, coral, shell and other precious stones The Chaha’oh | Native American designed stickers, notebooks, pens, greeting cards, jewelry and apparel, including handsewn items Embrace your Spark | Jewelry, Accessories, Cups and T-Shirts (Sunday Only) Hill Tops | Spinning Hand Carved Tops Hua Ki | Strung beaded necklaces on sinew with shell clasps, woven horsehair earrings and horsehair necklace pendants and shell earrings Hungrywolf Bakery | Prepackaged Baked Goods (Sunday Only) ISo’oh Story Time Books | Indigenous Authored/Illustrated Books for children, teens and adults K’aalogii Kisses | Original and print paintings Leather Hats Arts and Crafts | Basketry paintings, iron on bags and centerpieces Native Art Market | Handmade product by Native Artists, pottery, jewelry and accessories Nui Notions |Shell jewelry inspired by the O’odham culture, stationery, totes, sewn items, stickers and bookmarks Nuvamsa Designs | Hop art designed puzzles and attire Sage Lady Trading Co | Shampoo/Body Wash Combo, Body Lotion, Candles, Lip Balm, Smokeless Smudge Spray, Gift Sets Where the Water Flows | Jewelry and Ribbon Dresses (Saturday Only)
FOOD & DRINK Frybread Lounge The Pavilion at Sunset Plaza Latte Mama Boppart Courtyard Patio Café by Tarbell’s Ullman Terrace Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s Reservations recommended Beverage Service Desert Terrace Garden Beer, wine, soda and water available for purchase Debit and credit card only.
Presenting Sponsor:
Sustaining Sponsor
Festival weekend is supported in part by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona.
All Activities and vendors are subject to change. Event is rain or shine. This event is photographed and recorded for promotional purposes.
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