The Lori Piestewa National Native American Games return this summer, hosted in and around the Fort McDowell and Salt River reservations, as well as the Fountain Hills community.

This year’s games run from July 21-23 and nearby host sites include the Fort McDowell Recreation Center, Fountain Hills High School, Fountain Hills Middle School, Golden Eagle Park, the Salt River Recreation Center, Rancho Solano High School and the Boys & Girls Club LEHI Branch. The cross country event, as always, will take place at the We-Ko-Pa golf course.

Hundreds of athletes are expected to come out and take part in this year’s event, one that has become a summer tradition in honor of fallen soldier Lori Piestewa.

“[The Games] were designed to give all Arizonans the opportunity to take part in athletic competitions with an Olympic-style atmosphere,” reads a statement from first-time organizer of the event, the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission.

This three-day sports festival hosts multiple events for athletes to participate in, including basketball, baseball, cross-country, softball, volleyball, wrestling and more.

For more information on the National Native American Games, visit azsportsent.com.