Ski Utah Press Release

DEER VALLEY RESORT; PARK CITY, UTAH (October 14, 2015) – The 26th annual Navajo Rug Show and Sale is slated to take place at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Lodge, November 6-8, 2015. The largest event of its kind in the country provides attendees the opportunity to experience Navajo culture through demonstrations of weaving, singing and other traditions; and to help support Navajo elders by purchasing their hand-woven rugs and hand-crafted jewelry.

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program sponsors the event that started with just a few rugs 25 years ago and has grown to the multi-day celebration it is today. The “Weaving Ceremonial Blankets” theme for the 2015 show is inspired by the long history of colorful Pendleton blankets that have been cherished possessions of native elders for generations. In Navajo culture Pendleton blankets are used in many ceremonies and are presented as special gifts to honor dignitaries and leaders, as well as for birthdays and special occasions. Many of the symbols used in Pendleton blankets come from the different tribe symbols. Each tribe has a blanket that carries their own sacred symbols, such as mountains, birds, baskets, animals and totems.

Program founder, Linda Myers, started the Rug Show as a way to help the elders support themselves by selling their crafts and to raise awareness for the elders' needs. "The Rug Show offers guests a unique opportunity to learn more about the Navajo way of life and to meet more than 30 elders and their families who will travel from their native homeland to Park City,” said Myers. “From its humble beginnings of a handful of rugs at the Kimball Art Center, the Rug Show has evolved to feature more than 700 rugs and all proceeds from the rug sales go directly to the weaver."

Adopt-A-Native-Elder assists more than 500 Navajo elders living traditionally in remote areas of the Navajo Reservation in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Volunteers deliver food, clothing, medical supplies and other necessities twice a year to support the elders and to build a bridge of hope between cultures.

On Friday, November 6, the event opens to the public with a preview fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge. This preview allows guests to view the complete selection of rugs available at the show and to purchase rugs at a 10 percent discount. A live auction featuring the rugs, trips and special gift packages will take place between 8 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at the door or with a credit card by calling 801-474-0535.

The Rug Show and Sale continues Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 and/or $5 worth of donated canned goods, per day. On Saturday, a Navajo Children's Princess Pageant will take place at 10 a.m., a weaving demonstration at 1 p.m., Navajo Grandma Idol contest at 3 p.m., and the Navajo Grandpa Idol singing contest at 4 p.m. On Sunday, there will be a Navajo Veterans ceremony at 10 a.m., a weaving demonstration at 1 p.m., and a closing Pow Wow at 3 p.m.

Food and clothing collected during the show and all funds generated from the sale of rugs and jewelry go directly to the elders. The Rug Show is supported by grants from Zions Bancorporation Foundation, The William Wishnick Foundation, George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, The Newman & Zenith Ward Foundation, C. Comstock Clayton Foundation and the Summit County Restaurant Tax.

For more information on the Annual Navajo Rug Show, please visit the Adopt-A-Native-Elder website at anelder.org or call Linda Myers at 435-649-0535, or visit the resort's website at deervalley.com or contact resort Senior Communications Manager Emily Summers at 800-424-DEER (3337) or 435-645-6522.

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Deer Valley Resort revolutionized the ski industry by providing the first-class service one would receive at a five-star hotel. The resort offers 21 chairlifts, 101 ski runs, six bowls, 12 restaurants, 300 annual inches of powder, three elegant day lodges, 2,026 acres of alpine skiing, hundreds of luxury accommodations and a renowned Ski School and Children’s Center