Bring your friends and family to celebrate Masik Tas, Ak-Chin Indian Community’s birthday

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Masik Tas, or “birthday” celebrations commemorate the formal recognition of the Ak-Chin Indian Community each year. Events are open to everyone—come to check out the 11th annual Masik Tas!
The 2018 Masik Tas Celebration Light Parade lights up the night sky on Saturday, December 8. This festive parade heads down Farrell Road in Maricopa starting at 7 p.m. Entries from community members and families are judged in different categories, including Biggest and Brightest and Best Lit Family/Community Member Group. It’s sure to raise your holiday spirits!
Lots of entertainment is also on tap during Masik Tas. The Gin Blossoms, with guests Vertical Horizon, perform in a free concert on Friday, December 14. It happens at the Ak-Chin Circle Field, just north of the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle. Get there early for good seats! Doors open at 6 p.m. Bring your blankets or low-back lawn chairs to enjoy their familiar tunes.
Bring the whole family for the free carnival from December 14 to 16. Enjoy carnival rides, food, arts & crafts vendors, games, and a petting zoo. Carnival hours are 4 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Ak-Chin Circle near the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center.
Rodeo fans will be thrilled to compete in events December 15-16. Highlights include the junior rodeo and riding events on Saturday and roping events on Sunday.
While you’re enjoying all the fun, be sure to check out traditional performers and cultural demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16, from noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday evening, a Vaila dance with a chicken scratch dance happens from 6-10 p.m., and Two Rivers performs inside the Luxe Lounge starting at 10 p.m.
Other Masik Tas observances happen before then as well. These include the Miss/Jr. Ak-Chin Pageant followed by a dance on December 1. The annual basketball tournament runs Friday-Sunday, November 30-December 2. Also, tribal elders compete in the yearly chair volleyball tournament on Friday, December 7, and Toka/Songivu’l, or traditional games, are hosted on Sunday, December 9. There’s something for the golf lovers too – they can tee off at a tournament on Monday, December 10, starting at 10 a.m. at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.
Learn more about the Ak-Chin Indian Community at these festive celebrations![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.

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