FORT HALL — The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 Shoshone-Bannock Festival said coordinator Wendy Farmer.
The 2021 Shoshone-Bannock Festival is scheduled August 12 to 15.
Farmer said the decision to cancel the Festival was a hard decision but wanted to wait until June 30 to observe and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, “It is unknown and was hopeful that it would pass before the summer time powwow season but unfortunately the reality of the virus has not gone away and continues to rapidly spread. This pandemic is truly changing our way of living not only in traditional gathering but everyday life.”
Powwow
Concerning the powwow, coordinator James Tone and committee has notified the host drum Walking Buffalo, Canada, along with head staff Rueben Littlehead, head master of ceremonies and co emcees Tyson Shay, Jordan Broncho, Michael Mendez, head drum judge Lee Whiteplume, head women’s backup judge Greg Osborne, head dance judge David Lee, arena directors Joseph Baldwin and Tony Tone. Farmer added all head staff has been invited back in 2021 agreeing with the committee to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all the people that attend.
Royalty
The committee is awaiting confirmation and update regarding Festival royalty and Miss Shoshone-Bannock.
Rodeo
Because of the increasing COVID-19 cases in southeast Idaho, the Fort Hall Rodeo Committee decided to cancel the Indian National Finals Rodeo held in conjunction with the Festival. The Junior/Senior rodeo is also cancelled. The rodeo committee wants to thank their contract personnel, stock contractor and sponsors for their consideration and support. They look forward to a bigger tour rodeo in 2021 with the help of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the sanctioning region Western States Indian Rodeo Association and their sponsors.
Arts & Crafts/Food vendors
The Festival Committee thanks the many vendors that applied early. All applications and payments that were processed will be given a full refund and mailed to the person’s name on the applications. If you have questions contact Tiffany Pabawena 208-478-3779 email tipabawena@sbtribes.com or Crystal Ramos 208-478-3842 email cramos@sbtribes.com
Parade
Parade Coordinator Taylor Thomas wants to encourage people to continue getting parade ready for 2021; Highlighting men's warbonnet on horse, women's buckskin on horse , youth relay teams, women walkers with cradle board and baby, men walkers with reservation style hats and many more categories with more prize money.
Art Show
Art Show and outdoor events and sporting competitions, handgame, softball, golf, horseshoe and skateboarding encourage people to continue to stay active and practice social distancing and see you all next year.
Feast
Feast Committee members pray everyone stays healthy and is excited to see everyone in 2021 to share a traditional meal next year.
Indian Relay
The Fort Hall Indian Relay association operates independently. Please contact the association for information and updates.
Wiley Petersen Bull Riding Mayhem
Bull Riding Mayhem operates independently, Wiley Petersen has publicly announced the cancellation of the event.
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have approved several facility upgrade projects that include restroom/showers facility near the handgame area, replacing the handgame arbor, re-leveling of the dance arena, replacement of the horse track outside rail.
In closing, the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival involves several teams of committees to make the annual event a success. They would like to thank all the persons that volunteer their time. Please stay healthy and we hope to see you all next year, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Festival Coordinator Wendy Farmer, wfarmer@sbtribes.com 208-478-3789; and or Festival Website www.shobanfestival.com; Facebook Page: Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival and Instagram shobanfestival pages for updates.