OF THE SONORAN DESERT CELEBRATION PLANTS & PEOPLE
DESERT BO T ANICAL GARDEN
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 .
Chi’Chino Spirit O’odham Dance Group |
Culture Sharing Dances
GertieNtheT.O.Boyz | Tohono O’odham Waila
Boppart Courtyard
Yellowbird Apache Dancers | Native American Song and Dance 10:30 – 12:30
Tomahawk Bang | DJ Set 1–4
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) | Wool-felting 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
BAASHILHOZHO | TBD
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
Embrace your Spark | Jewelry, Accessories, Cups and T-Shirts
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
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
Navajo Tea Time | Navajo tea, blue corn cookies, Soap, facial scrubs, gift boxes
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
The Chaha’oh | Native American designed stickers, notebooks, pens, greeting cards, jewelry and apparel, including handsewn items
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.