Native American hoop dance, a spirited and captivating form of storytelling through dance, takes center stage at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the garden hosts the Intermountain Hoop Dance Competition, featuring talented dancers of all ages from around the region competing for $10,000 in cash prizes. The event features dynamic drum and song performances, Native American vendors, food, community resource tables and a scavenger hunt with local ethnobotanic plants.

The event will be held in the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre, a scenic outdoor venue at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon. Admission is free.

In hoop dance, performers use hoops and their bodies to tell stories of plants, animals and the natural world, making the garden a fitting place for such an event, said Sarah Sandoval, director of education and community programs. The setting is especially significant because of the canyon’s deep ties to the valley’s human past and those who first called this place home.

“It’s an honor to host such a meaningful cultural event on this land, where Indigenous people have been its original and enduring stewards, and where the garden continues to care for and honor the land,” Sandoval said.

The competition begins at 9:30 a.m., with the competing dancers’ and officials’ grand entry into the venue. A lunch break is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., with the competition expected to wrap up by midafternoon. Guests are invited to bring low-back chairs, a blanket and a picnic, or visit one of the food trucks. Water bottle refill stations are available on-site.

The garden will also host an up-close experience with champion hoop dancer Terry Goedel on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m., as part of the Cultivating Wisdom & Wonder Speaker Series. Goedel will share his personal journey exploring his cultural identity, perform a hoop dance and offer a sneak peek at “Courage,” an award-winning short film in which he stars. Space is limited, and tickets are required.