December 17, 2004
Hundreds of luminarias perched upon the walls of an 800-year-old Salado Indian pueblo and the sounds of flutist Norbert Allen are what sets Globe’s annual Festival of Lights apart from all the others this holiday season.
"It’s just the most beautiful sight," says Lynnette Brandon, manager of the museum at Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park.
Located at the confluence of the Pinal Creek and Ice House Canyon Wash, the pueblo was abandoned by the Salado community years before Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492. Archaeologists concluded that a severe drought was to blame.
Some of the ruins have been reconstructed and set up to look as they did when the Salado community inhabited the two-story dwellings. Visitors can climb ladders leading into the second-story rooms and see furnishings typical of the period.
Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, which is run by Globe, is one of the largest single site archaeological collections in the Southwest.
The Festival of Lights, which starts around sunset on Sunday, is the highlight of Globe’s holiday season. Allen will play haunting solos by firelight and Herb Stevens, director of the Apache Cultural Center, will tell traditional winter tales. Hot cider, coffee, tea and cookies will be served.
In addition to performances by Native groups, Mo and Joe will play traditional Spanish Christmas music in the visitor center auditorium. Kids can get their pictures taken with Santa for a $1 donation.
If you go
What: Festival of Lights, 1,600 luminarias perched atop the ruins of a Salado Indian pueblo
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, 1100 Jess Hayes Road, Globe
Cost: Free
Information: (928) 425-0320
