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A longstanding Arizona cultural tradition returns to Mesa this weekend as the 42nd annual Roy Track Memorial Pow Wow brings three days of Native American singing, dancing, and community celebration to Riverview Park.

The free event takes place October 23–25, 2026, welcoming participants and visitors for a weekend dedicated to Indigenous cultural traditions.

The celebration begins Friday evening with social bird singing and dancing before expanding into a full weekend of activities.

For residents of Mesa and the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, the gathering provides an opportunity to experience cultural traditions that continue to play an important role in Native American communities.

A Weekend of Singing and Dancing

The Roy Track Memorial Pow Wow begins Friday, October 23, with an evening program scheduled from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Friday’s activities feature social bird singing and dancing.

Bird songs are an important cultural tradition among several Indigenous communities in the Southwest.

These performances reflect histories, languages, and cultural practices that have been maintained and shared across generations.

The weekend’s activities continue Saturday and Sunday with additional dance and musical presentations.

Visitors can expect a gathering centered on cultural participation, traditional performance, and community connections.

Saturday Features Two Grand Entries

Saturday, October 24, offers the longest schedule of the weekend.

Activities begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 10 p.m.

The Arizona Territory Gourd Society is scheduled to participate at 11 a.m. and again at 5 p.m.

Gourd dancing is a longstanding tradition associated with Native American gatherings and carries cultural significance for participating communities.

Saturday also features two Grand Entry ceremonies.

The first is scheduled for 1 p.m., followed by another at 7 p.m.

A Grand Entry is an important ceremonial component of many powwows, bringing participants into the arena in an organized procession.

These gatherings often emphasize respect for elders, veterans, dancers, and the cultural traditions represented by participating communities.

For visitors attending their first powwow, the Grand Entry provides an opportunity to observe an important part of the celebration.

Sunday’s Celebration Continues the Tradition

The final day takes place Sunday, October 25, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Arizona Territory Gourd Society is again scheduled to participate at 11 a.m.

Sunday’s Grand Entry begins at 1 p.m.

The afternoon provides another opportunity for visitors to experience the gathering before the weekend concludes.

The event’s multiday schedule allows families and other attendees to select a convenient time to participate.

A Cultural Gathering With a Long History

The Roy Track Memorial Pow Wow has become an established tradition in Mesa.

Now in its 42nd year, the gathering continues to bring Native American cultural expression into a public community setting.

The event is listed by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the City of Mesa, and Visit Mesa.

Organizers have identified Dennis Bowen as master of ceremonies and Colby Afraidofhistracks as arena director.

Northern Mixx is listed as the host Northern Drum, while Chris Dinedeal is listed as the host Southern Drum.

Drumming and singing are central elements of many powwow traditions, helping provide the musical foundation for dancers and ceremonial activities.

The gathering also offers an opportunity for visitors to learn about Indigenous cultural practices through direct observation.

Attendees should respect ceremonial activities and follow instructions from event organizers, particularly regarding photography and participation.

Planning a Visit

Event: 42nd Annual Roy Track Memorial Mesa Pow Wow

Dates: October 23–25, 2026

Location: Riverview Park, Mesa, Arizona

Admission: Free

Friday: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday Grand Entries: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday ...

Arizona has officially gained another national park, adding a new chapter to the history of one of the Southwest’s most unusual landscapes.

On October 20, 2026, Chiricahua National Monument became Chiricahua National Park after President Donald Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act into law.

Located near Willcox in southeastern Arizona, the approximately 12,000-acre park is known for its towering rock formations, balanced boulders, scenic mountain landscapes, and remarkable biodiversity.

The redesignation brings national park status to an area that has been protected for more than a century.

A Wonderland of Rocks

Chiricahua is unlike many other destinations in Arizona.

Instead of the enormous canyon walls associated with the Grand Canyon or the towering cacti of Saguaro National Park, visitors encounter a landscape filled with unusual stone columns and enormous rocks balanced in seemingly impossible positions.

These formations originated approximately 27 million years ago following a massive volcanic eruption.

Over time, geological processes shaped the volcanic rock into the distinctive pinnacles and formations visible today.

The resulting landscape has become known as a wonderland of rocks.

Visitors can explore the formations through hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and an eight-mile paved drive leading into the mountains.

What Visitors Can Experience

Although the area’s official designation has changed, its existing recreational opportunities will remain available.

The National Park Service confirmed that visitors can continue enjoying hiking, camping, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and other activities.

The park features approximately 17 miles of hiking trails, with options ranging from short walks to challenging routes through rugged terrain.

Popular destinations include Echo Canyon, Massai Point, and the Heart of Rocks area.

Massai Point offers expansive views of the surrounding landscape and access to a short nature trail.

For more adventurous visitors, the Heart of Rocks Loop passes several of the park’s unusual balanced formations.

The park is also recognized for its dark skies, making it an attractive destination for stargazing.

Wildlife Where Different Ecosystems Meet

Chiricahua’s natural environment is another reason the area stands out.

The park sits within the Chiricahua Mountains, part of a region where desert, grassland, and forest ecosystems meet.

These overlapping environments support an unusual variety of plants and animals.

Visitors may encounter deer, javelinas, coatimundis, and numerous bird species.

The area’s varied elevations and habitats make it particularly interesting for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The National Park Service identifies the region as an important example of the biodiversity found in southeastern Arizona’s mountain landscapes.

More Than a Century of Protected History

Chiricahua first received federal protection as a national monument in 1924.

The area’s history extends much further into the past.

The landscape holds cultural significance for the Chiricahua Apache and preserves evidence of thousands of years of human activity.

It also includes the Faraway Ranch Historic District, which reflects a later period of ranching, homesteading, and tourism.

The new national park designation recognizes both the area’s natural features and its cultural heritage.

Planning a Visit to Arizona’s Newest National Park

Chiricahua National Park is located near Willcox in Cochise County.

The park’s scenic drive provides access to several overlooks and trailheads, although vehicle length restrictions apply on portions of the mountain road.

Visitors should bring sufficient water, appropriate hiking equipment, and supplies for changing weather conditions.

Camping reservations are required, but the park does not currently require timed-entry reservations for ordinary day visits.

The National Park Service advises visitors to review current conditions before traveling.

For residents of southeastern Arizona, the redesignation brings new recognition to a familiar destination.

For travelers exploring the Southwest, it provides another reason ...

Families in Apache Junction, Arizona, can look forward to an evening of Halloween activities when the city’s annual Halloween Festival returns Saturday, October 24, 2026.

The free community celebration will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Superstition Shadows Park, located at 1091 West Southern Avenue.

Organized by the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department, the event will feature costume contests, children’s games, inflatable attractions, and a community Trunk-or-Treat.

The city announced the event details October 19, inviting residents to dress up and participate in an evening of seasonal entertainment.

Costumes, Pumpkins and Halloween Games

The festival will offer several activities associated with the Halloween season.

Costume contests will give participants an opportunity to show off their holiday outfits.

A pumpkin carving contest is also scheduled, adding another traditional fall activity to the celebration.

Families can explore inflatable attractions and games designed for children.

Local nonprofit organizations will participate by hosting games and other activities.

The involvement of community groups provides an opportunity for families to meet organizations serving Apache Junction while enjoying the festival.

Trunk-or-Treat Returns

One of the scheduled attractions is a Trunk-or-Treat sponsored by Lost Dutchman Realty.

Trunk-or-Treat events provide an alternative setting for traditional Halloween candy collecting, with participating vehicles serving as designated stops for children and families.

The activity has become a familiar feature of community Halloween celebrations across the country.

For Apache Junction residents, it adds another option to an evening that already includes games, costumes, and entertainment.

The city encourages families to arrive in their Halloween costumes and participate in the festivities.

A Free Community Celebration

Admission to the Halloween Festival is free.

The event is designed to provide an accessible seasonal activity for local families.

Because the celebration takes place at a public park, visitors should prepare for an outdoor evening.

Families may want to bring comfortable footwear and consider the weather when selecting costumes.

The festival’s scheduled activities run for four hours, allowing attendees to participate at different points throughout the evening.

The city has not announced a separate admission charge for the festival.

Halloween in Apache Junction

Apache Junction is located east of the Phoenix metropolitan area near the Superstition Mountains.

The community’s annual Halloween Festival brings together residents, local organizations, and families for a seasonal gathering.

For parents searching for Halloween activities that don’t require purchasing admission tickets, the October 24 celebration offers several options in one location.

The event combines familiar holiday traditions with opportunities to connect with local nonprofit organizations.

Whether families attend for the costume contests, pumpkin carving, children’s games, or Trunk-or-Treat, the festival provides another way to celebrate Halloween in the East Valley.

Event Details

Event: Apache Junction Halloween Festival

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 West Southern Avenue, Apache Junction, Arizona

Admission: Free

Activities: Costume contests, pumpkin carving contest, inflatables, children’s games, nonprofit activities, and Trunk-or-Treat.

The city encourages community members to attend in costume and enjoy the evening’s activities.