Ridgecrest Area Convention Visitors Bureau Lori Barnett—In a significant move to honor and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Native American communities, the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival has announced a series of changes to enhance its authenticity. This year’s event will focus on increasing participation from Native American and Indigenous artists, performers, and vendors while reducing the presence of non-native elements.
The Festival has long been a highlight of the region, drawing thousands of visitors annually to celebrate the unique petroglyphs and the culture of the Native American tribes who created them. However, concerns have grown among Indigenous communities and cultural advocates about the increasing commercialization and the influx of non-native vendors and entertainment.
The festival organizers have committed to a renewed focus on authenticity and tradition. This year’s festival will see a marked increase in Native American and Indigenous participation, with a greater emphasis on traditional crafts, performances, and storytelling.
“Our goal is to produce an event that truly honors and reflects the heritage of the Native American communities of the area,” said Kari Crutcher, Executive Director of the Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which oversees the festival. “We want the festival to be a space where local Indigenous voices and traditions are at the forefront.”
The festival has partnered with several regional tribes and organizations to increase the representation of Indigenous artists and vendors. Native artisans will lead workshops and demonstrations, giving visitors a deeper understanding of traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and beadwork. Additionally, performers will take center stage, offering authentic music, dance, and storytelling of the Native American experience. Festival favorites, as well as new talent, will headline this year’s event.
To further underscore its commitment to cultural integrity, the festival will reduce the presence of non-native vendors and entertainment. This change aims to ensure that the festival remains a genuine celebration of Native American heritage rather than a commercialized event.
“We recognize the importance of maintaining the cultural significance of the Petroglyph Festival,” said Crutcher. “By prioritizing Native American and Indigenous participants, we are taking steps to ensure that the festival remains a true reflection of the traditions and history it seeks to honor.”
The changes to the festival have been met with widespread support from both the Indigenous community and festival-goers. Many see this as a necessary step towards preserving the festival’s cultural integrity and ensuring that it serves as a meaningful tribute to the Native American tribes of the region.
“This is a positive move for the festival and our community,” said Sara Freund Calderon of the Lone Pine Paiute and Shoshone tribe. “It’s important that we have a space to share our traditions and educate others about our culture authentically and respectfully.”
As the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival prepares for this year’s event, the organizers are optimistic about the future. They hope these changes will set a precedent for other cultural festivals and events, encouraging a broader recognition and respect for the traditions and heritage of Native American communities.
Along with the annual Intertribal Pow Wow, the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival will occur at Leroy Jackson Park on November 2-3, 2024. For more information and a schedule of events, please visit rpfestival.com.
In its 11th year, the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Native American tribes in the Ridgecrest area on the first weekend of every November. The festival features traditional arts, crafts, performances, and educational workshops, providing a platform for Indigenous voices and traditions. The Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau organizes the event and aims to honor the history and legacy of the region’s Native American communities.
