The City of Litchfield Park will host the Litchfield Park Gathering on Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12 celebrating Native American art and cultural traditions. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Historic Litchfield Park, at 214 W. Wigwam Blvd. 

The gathering will feature Native American artists and artisans from the Southwest, displaying and selling a variety of traditional and contemporary works, including jewelry, beadwork, pottery, kachinas, pueblo carvings, sculptures, and more. The festival will also showcase other forms of artistic expression such as basketry, photography, textiles, and painting, providing an opportunity for attendees to explore a wide range of Native American artistry.

According to Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, Litchfield Park and Goodyear are located in a region with a rich indigenous history. According to Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, the area was once home to the Hohokam people, who inhabited the region from around 500 A.D. to 1450 A.D. Known for their advanced irrigation systems, the Hohokam developed techniques that supported agriculture in the desert. By the 1600s, the Maricopa and Pima tribes had settled in the area, living primarily along the Gila River.

Arizona today is home to 22 federally recognized Native American tribes, each with its own distinct languages, cultures, and traditions. These tribes occupy land that makes up roughly one-quarter of the state. From the Navajo Nation in the northern part of the state, the largest Native American reservation in the United States, to the Tohono O'odham Nation in southern Arizona, the tribes preserve and share their unique cultural practices and histories.

The Litchfield Park Gathering is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to offering free public events throughout the year, including cultural festivals, live concerts, fine art exhibitions, and community movie nights.

The festival provides an opportunity to experience and appreciate the diverse artistic traditions and cultural heritage of Native American communities across the Southwest.

Visit litchfieldpark.gov for more information about the Litchfield Park Gathering.