Indian fest starts today in W.V. park

Dancing, drums and fry bread are coming to West Valley City as part of the 8th Annual Native American Association of West Valley Festival and Contest Powwow.

The event — featuring Native American food, dancing, storytelling and arts and crafts — starts today at Granger Park, 3500 S. 3600 West, and continues through Sunday.

In addition to about 140 dancers and 10 drummers, there will be Aztec dancers from Mexico and hoop dancers, said association board member Prestine James. There will also be a Navajo food exposition, sponsored by the Navajo Nation's diabetes project.

The festival opens at 5 p.m. today, with Grand Entry and dancing from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday, the festival goes from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. with dancing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Sunday, the festival goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with dancing starting at 11 a.m.

Admission is $4 per day, and free for children under 6 and seniors 64 years old and over. For dancers and drummers, a $5 registration fee covers all three days of powwow. Registration closes Saturday at 1 p.m.