The 15th Annual Sonoran Shindig, celebrating the Sonoran desert and its inhabitants, is taking place in Ajo’s newly-renovated historic plaza on Saturday, March 21. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it offers a range of activities for the whole family. The Shindig is a collaborative effort by the sponsoring organizations, which includes Ajo District Chamber of Commerce, the Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association, the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Pima County Natural Resources, and Parks and Recreation. Here are some of the Shindig activities:
Music and Entertainment
Local musicians and dancers will perform throughout the day with plenty of room for the audience to join in by watching, singing along or dancing.
Coyote Howling Contest
Think you can emulate a coyote’s howl? Come see how good you compare to some of the competition (don’t worry, humans only). This event is always fun, and some of the entries are pretty darn good.
Informative Presentations about the Sonoran Desert
There are several governmental agencies that manage and regulate different sectors of the Sonoran Desert, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Air Force, and Pima County. Representatives of these agencies will be on hand to answer questions and educate the public about the lands they manage.
In addition, several desert conservation groups will be represented, and they will share their knowledge and concerns about desert preservation with the public.
Sonoran Desert Photo Exhibit
The works of a wide range of amateur and professional photographers will be on display during the Shindig displaying the multitude of beauty to be found in the Sonoran desert.
Food Booths and Craft Vendors
What local event like the Shindig would be complete without a host of venues to purchase delicious food and hand-crafted wares? There will be ample opportunities for you to shop till you drop and munch some lunch during the event.
Childs Mountain Tour
While the Shindig runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ajo Plaza, you can also sign up to go on a tour of nearby Childs Mountain. The tour will begin at 5:30 p.m., and it will enable the participants to watch a spectacular Sonoran Desert sunset from atop one of the highest mountains in the vicinity.
All in all, the Sonoran Shindig is a “don’t-miss-it” chance to learn something about the Sonoran Desert that you didn’t know and to enjoy a day in Ajo where “the Summer spends the Winter.”
