The 202 intentionally held Native Market Days at Canyons Village in Park City showcased Indigenous artistry and tradition through a weekend of competitive hoop dancing, a professional art contest, and a high-fashion runway show. The event, organized by American Indian Services, brought together Native and non-Native community members to celebrate cultural heritage and support Indigenous economic empowerment.
Art Market and Economic Impact
The festivities took place from July 10 through July 11, 2026, at Canyons Village. The Indigenous Art Market was hosted at the Forum Tent, with operating hours running from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
This market served as a platform for community members to appreciate the artistic expressions of Native American communities while providing a way to support Indigenous businesses. According to American Indian Services, the market was designed to help promote economic empowerment within these communities.
High-Stakes Art Competitions
The event's programming included a high-stakes art contest featuring significant cash prizes for both professional and youth categories. In the Professional Contest, the 'Best in Show' award carried a $5,000 prize. Other first-place categories within the professional division—including Jewelry/Lapidary, 2D/3D Art, Weaving/Textiles, and Beadwork/Quillwork—each earned $1,425. The professional competition also recognized four honorable mentions with awards of $375 each.
A separate Youth Contest offered a $1,000 'Best in Show' prize. First-place winners in the youth categories for Jewelry/Lapidary, 2D/3D Art, Weaving/Textiles, and Beadwork/Quillwork each received $350, while four honorable mentions were awarded $100 each.
Hoop Dance Traditions
The Hoop Dance competition, a traditional form of storytelling and artistic expression practiced throughout the United States and Canada, was a central feature of the weekend. The competition held specific categories for women, divided into three age groups: teens (ages 13-19), adults (ages 20-40), and senior adults (ages 41 and older).
The contest schedule ran from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, and continued from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
Indigenous Fashion Showcase
On the evening of Saturday, July 11, 2026, the event transitioned to the Grand Summit Hotel's Kokopelli Ballroom for an Indigenous Fashion Show. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the show featured four prominent Indigenous designers and models sharing the runway.
As noted by NowPlayingUtah.com, the fashion show was intended to allow attendees to experience the beauty of Native American culture through modern and traditional design.
Historical Event Context
While the 2026 event was centered in Park City, previous iterations of Native Market Days have been organized by American Indian Services in collaboration with other institutions. For example, a past event held from July 11 to July 12, 2025, was presented by American Indian Services alongside Utah Valley University (UVU) Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement at the UVU campus in Orem.
Event Access and Contact
Admission to the 2026 Native Market Days was free to the public. The event organizers, American Indian Services, provided contact information via email at nmd@americanindianservices.org for inquiries regarding the festivities.
