Rain and light in canyon from Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Western Arts Day commemorates the western way of life which helps define what Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona, and Southern Utah are today.

Don & Karen Kramer & friend Western Arts Day North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Don Kramer demonstrated leather tooling while his wife Karen and a friend quilted.

Mountain man Western Arts Day North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Mountain men showed the tools of survival from the 1800s.

Marlene Bussma Poet Western Arts Day North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I heard Marlene Bussma recite poetry. Then I hung out by the demonstrators to answer visitor questions and give breaks when needed. In between a few rain drops.

One of the highlights was listening to the Utah Old Time Fiddlers. Real foot stomping music.

Utah Old Time fiddlers Lodge veranda North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

More poets and musicians finished off the night but I was too tired to go back after working a ten hour day.

Ranger Jessica Lodge veranda Western Arts Day North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

This year’s event went off without a hitch due to the remarkable coordination by Ranger Jessica, on her birthday no less, and a staff of Rangers who work together like a well oiled musket.

Nancy and George Lodge veranda Western Arts Day North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona 

Nancy and George have been volunteers for eight seasons at the North Rim

Sorry if you didn’t make it this year but come and join us for this annual event.