Buy tickets
A Native American dancer performs a hoop dance.https://vimeo.com/918510715?share=copy

Signature Event

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

CONGRATULATIONS 2024 HOOP DANCE CHAMPIONS!

Youth

1st Anjalee Andrews

2nd Naiche Duncan

3rd Isaiah George

Teen

1st Mateo Ulibarri

2nd Jerry Hunt

3rd Jerrhan First Charger

Adult

1st Josiah Enriquez

2nd Talon Ree Duncan

3rd Tony Duncan

4th Scott Sixkiller Sinquah

5th Beany John

6th Sky Duncan

Senior

1st Moontee Sinquah

2nd Terry Goedel

3rd Bartley Harris

A young man in a native outfit holding a plaque.

Welcome to the Heard Museum’s World Championship Hoop Dance Contest! This premier event features over 100 contestants from diverse tribal backgrounds throughout North America, showcasing their skills and passion. Since 1991, this event has been more than a competition, it’s a cornerstone for cultural preservation, spotlighting the profound history of hoop dancing in indigenous communities.

Enjoy delicious food & drinks from Emerson’s Frybread to Ni De Aqui, Ni De Alla Tacos, and energize yourself with Skoden Coffee or refreshing Bella’s Lemonade. Engage in hoop-themed family activities, explore offerings from community partners, and snag official merchandise from the OXDX Official Hoop Dance Merch Booth. And for those unable to attend in person, Gila River Broadcasting presents the Livestream of the event right here on this page both days, ensuring that the spirit of the contest reaches far and wide.

Join us in celebrating the artistry and resilience of indigenous peoples at this two-day extravaganza that promises to captivate, educate, and inspire all who attend.

2024 Heard Hoop Dance Contest Adult World Champion – Josiah Enriquez (Pueblo of Pojoaque)

Museum Parking

Let us help you find alternative parking options with our Parking Map and ensure a stress-free arrival at the museum for an unforgettable experience.

Light Rail Access

Embrace eco-friendly travel, beat traffic, and arrive seamlessly. Hop on board for a scenic journey and step off the Encanto/Central stop via Valley Metro Light Rail.

Ride Share

Arrive in style! Join our event at the museum hassle-free with convenient ride-share options. Skip parking stress, enjoy the journey, and make memories at the museum.

Hoop FAQs
Can we purchase tickets at the event?

Yes. Tickets are available atht e entrance gate.
Culture Passes not valid during this Signature Event.

How early can we arrive?

General Admission begins at 8:30 am, Members have access for seating at 8:15 am. The event starts at 9 am.

Rain Policy

This is a rain or shine event. Should the weather turn grey, the competition may be postponed and/or moved indoors to the Steele Auditorium. If the forecast indicates rain we suggest bringing jackets, umbrellas, ponchos, etc.

What time will the Museum open?

Museum hours during Hoop are Sat 9 am-5 pm and Sun 9 am-4 pm.

The Coffee Cantina will open at 8:30 am and The Courtyard Café opens at 11 am.

Books and More opens at 9 am, The Shop opens at 10 am.

ADA Information

The entire north parking lot is designated as ADA parking. There are two areas inside the event for Elder and ADA seating. In addition, there will be special seat cushions available first come, first served at Books & More.

 

Food and Beverage restrictions

No outside food or drink is permitted. However, water bottles are permitted.

Dancers and family members are allowed to enter separately and keep belongings inside Steele Auditorium.

Are bags allowed in? If so, what size?

Inside event and the Museum, normal bag policies apply.

In addition, cooler bags are not permitted inside this event.

 

What other things should we bring? Suncreen? Hat?

Yes, you are encouraged to bring fold-up chairs, blankets, hats, sunblock, sunglasses, visors, umbrella/poncho.

Popup tents not permitted.

If we leave the event can we come back?

Yes, we have handstamps, and you may leave and come back anytime during the event.

Pets and service animals

Only Service animals will be allowed and must be leashed or tethered accordingly. Comfort animals not permitted.

Firearms and weapons

No weapons, any time are permitted.

 

Smoking policy

Not permitted in the amphitheater, only in designated smoking areas or the parking lot.

Alcohol restrictions

No outside food and beverages includes no outside alcohol. Alcohol is sold at the Cantina and Courtyard Café.

Drone restrictions

It is illegal to fly a drone during this event. https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-arizona/

About the Contest

Dancers are judged on a slate of five skills: precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativity, and speed.

Contestants compete in one of five divisions: Tiny Tots (age 5 and younger), Youth (6-12), Teen (13-17), Adult (18-39) and Senior (40 and older). Cash prizes totaling $25,000 are awarded to winners in each division, and victors in each division can claim the honor of being the World Champion.

Through stunning performances of those women and men competing to be named the next World Champion Hoop Dancer, the event combines artistry, athleticism, tradition, and suspense for an unforgettable weekend of fellowship and competition.

Contest Rules

Rules have been developed with input from the Hoop staff and Advisors to the program.

If you have any questions email us at: hoopdance@heard.org.

Heard Museum – 2024 World Champion Hoop Dance Contest Official Rules

Photographers/Videographers

Photos and video for personal use is permitted. Please review our photo/video policy to protect the rights of Indigenous Artists.

If intended for publication or sales, click the link below to fill our permission form for review.

Questions?

Interested in being a vendor, a sponsor, or have any general event questions? Email us at: hoopdance@heard.org

Media Request Form for On-Site Photog/Video

2023 World Champion Hoop Contest Highlights

  • A Native dancer with a hoop in front of a crowd.
    Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache, Arikara Hidasta Mandan)
  • A youth hoop dancer jumping midair through a hoop during a performance.
    More than 30 Youth Hoop Dancers competed in the 2023 contest.
  • A group of Native Americans entering the hoop dance contest in front of a crowd.
    Each day, the contest begins with the Grand Entry for all contestants.
A group of native americans are dancing in front of a crowd.

Hoop Competitors

Don’t miss your chance to be part of history at the Heard Museum’s World Championship Hoop Dance Contest! Showcase your skills and passion alongside contestants from diverse tribal backgrounds, all vying for the prestigious title of World Champion and a share of the $25,000 cash prize. Register now to participate and immerse yourself in a celebration of indigenous culture, complete with delicious food, and family activities. Click the button below to secure your spot and join us in honoring the profound history and artistry of hoop dancing!

Our sponsors

  • Major supporters

    The A P S logo.
    Susan Orr, in Memory of her husband William and son Tyler

  • Youth & Teen Division Sponsors

    Jay Kahn Memorial Fund
    Richard O. Kern Fund

  • Sponsors

    Ted & Mary Jo Shen
    Mary Ellen McKee

  • Supporters

    Logo for Arizona Community Foundation.
    Renewal by anderson full service window and door replacement.
    Desert diamond casino west valley logo.
    Sanderson ford logo.

  • Media Partner

    A logo for gila river broadcasting corp.

  • Youth & Family Programming at the Heard is made possible by

    The A P S logo.
    The Molly Blank Fund logo.
    The Boeing Company
    The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation logo.
    The Steele Foundation logo.

Exhibitions

A painting of a Native woman wearing red with green grass, trees and blue sky in the background.

Indeterminate Beauty

Through April 22, 2024
A black and white image of a circular object on a black background.

Maria & Modernism

Through July 28, 2024
An old black and white photo of a building.

Heard Museum History in the 1929 Gallery

Through December 31, 2024