V-Bar-V Archaeology Discovery Days and Agave Roast

April 16, 17 and 18, 2010

If March is Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month – then why are we still celebrating it in April?  For two reasons – first of all, protecting and increasing awareness of archaeological sites and heritage sites is a year round task.  Secondly – the best time to harvest agave is just before the stalk begins to grow, which is usually mid to late April here in the Verde Valley.  Saturday morning April 17th  will be the highlight of the event when the Yavapai Apache Nation Bird Singes and Gourd dancers perform followed by opening the agave roasting pit around 11:00 a.m.

Yavapai Apache Bird Singers

The Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District is happy to be part of statewide effort to promote heritage awareness and protection.  The V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days and Agave Roast is an interactive learning opportunity where visitors can have fun while they learn about the cultures of the past and find out how they can help take care of all archaeological sites.  

Agave Roasting

 
Visitors who come to the V Bar V Discovery Days can look forward to having some very unique and memorable experiences.  Here are a few of the experiences visitors can look forward to: taste traditional foods such as roasted agave, parched corn, piki bread, and acorn stew.  Visit with people who are skilled at demonstrating ancient technologies of flint-knapping, fire by friction, weaving yucca fiber sandals, and making and firing pottery as people have done for centuries in this area.  Throw long darts at a ferocious-looking animal target using an atl-atl.  Talk to cowboys to learn about the history of the V Bar V Ranch.  Talk to mountain men to find out how these early explorers survived and thrived in the wilderness.  Be sure to visit the petroglyph panels while you’re here, they’re really outstanding!

Most of the personnel you will meet at V Bar V Days are volunteers.  Thank you to all of the volunteers that make this event a success!

Celebrate Arizona’s past by coming to the V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days and Agave Roast. This is your chance to learn about and appreciate the people who have lived here for centuries.