The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community took the final hours of 2025 to new heights with the annual New Year’s Eve Family Celebration, which was held on the Community Building grounds.

Festivities started at 10 a.m. with a New Year’s Eve Pie drive-thru giveaway event across the street at the Salt River Ballfield. The ballfield parking lot was filled with cars within a few hours, and that lasted for the rest of the night.

Starting at about 4 p.m., families filed in for the midway carnival, arts and crafts booths, and food trucks. Scattered rain showers were expected throughout the rain-or-shine event, but the little drops were no match for the Community’s big plans.

Over 3,000 people attended the event throughout the day, according to events manager Yvonne Schaaf. Wristbands for the carnival rides were $5 each.

3 Takeaways:

• More than 3,000 people showed up to ring in the new year with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
• DJ Reflekshin and Molina Music provided live entertainment for visitors to enter 2026 on the dance floor, while people packed the carnival rides outdoors.
• The O’odham Piipaash Social, led by SRPMIC Vice-President Ricardo Leonard, was a hit in the Salt River Community Building.

Every year the Salt River Community Children’s Foundation orders 3,000 wristbands to sell for the carnival. All funds received go directly back into the foundation to support children of the Community. This year, thanks to a sponsorship from Messenger’s Mortuary, the foundation was able to order an additional 500 wristbands. 

“This allowed us to offer a ‘buy 3 get 1 free’ promotion while supplies lasted,” said Salt River Community Children’s Foundation vice-chair Angelica Valadez. “In addition, we donated to a variety of programs in the Community, such as Social Services’ ‘Shop with Public Safety’ event.”

Some from the sibling tribes also came for the fun.

“Guests came from other sibling communities–the Gila River Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation and the Ak-Chin Indian Community–to enjoy the annual event,” said Schaaf.

“We also had a few local city guests drive out to enjoy!”

Schaaf noted that the event was a success with the help of a variety of departments, including Salt River Police Department, Salt River Fire Department, Health and Human Services Environmental Health, Public Works, Tribal Council and Community Relations.

Community Relations Events specialist Adrian Sixkiller said that the added safety precautions this year ensured a great family friendly environment.

As visitors entered the carnival, they heard the excited screams of people seeking thrills on skyward rides like Vertigo and experienced the dazzling lights and all the best music jams on the Zipper or the Rockstar.

While the sun was setting, the gym was popping with a set by DJ Reflekshin, followed by waila music from Molina Music.

A stone’s throw away in the Salt River Community Building was the O’odham Piipaash Social, which is led every year by Vice-President Ricardo Leonard. Lenoard and other traditional singers used a cardboard box in the middle of a circle to form a beat. Piipaash songs were performed at the same time as O’odham ones, while Community members watched, socialized and enjoyed a meal.

At 9 p.m., free New Year’s Eve party favors were handed out to visitors. The sounds of noisemakers and party horns echoed throughout the midway. When the clock struck midnight, the ceremonial balloon dropped and the sky was blanketed with dazzling fireworks, ringing in 2026.