TAHLEQUAH, OK – The Cherokee Nation will be celebrating the 72nd annual Cherokee National Holiday at the end of August, including longstanding cultural favorites, as well as new events such as a youth livestock show and the second annual two-night concert at One Fire Field. The Cherokee National Holiday typically draws more than 100,000 visitors from across the country. Main holiday activities will be held Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.
“The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, which re-established the tribe’s government after forced removal,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This is a time to celebrate cultural resilience and unity while honoring our Cherokee ancestors. We invite everyone to come and celebrate with us and enjoy the variety of events.”
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner will look back at the past year and ahead to the future during the State of the Nation event in historic downtown Tahlequah on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 11:00am at the Cherokee National Peace Pavilion.
This year, the tribe will also present for the second time the Dalalapalooza live music concert at One Fire Field. The concert will be a variety of folk, bluegrass, country, rock and pop music and will be Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Artists performing include Agalisiga (Big Chuj) Mackey, Klondike5 String Band, Sister Stone, Amber Watson & Friends, Cody Brewer, and King Cabbage Brass Band.
Other events for the 72nd Cherokee National Holiday include longtime favorites like traditional games, sporting events such as softball, stickball, the Cherokee National Holiday quilt show and art show, golf, the holiday veterans 5K and fun run, as well as cornhole and fishing tournaments.
The Inter-Tribal Powwow, which brings in many visitors every year, will return on Aug. 30-31 at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds, where dancers will go head-to-head in competition for top honors and over $35,000 in prize money.
“Celebrating the Cherokee National Holiday is an unforgettable experience for all who join,” said Deputy Chief Warner. “Whether they attend or participate in the powwow, the parade, one of the many traditional games played or any of the other events, everyone will have a great time. I’m thankful we are able to celebrate the Cherokee Nation Constitution in such a big way every year and I always look forward to it.”
Other annual events include the Cherokee National Holiday parade, which will be in downtown Tahlequah on Saturday, Aug. 31. Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner and members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation will join together for the annual State of the Nation following the parade at 11:00am at the Cherokee National Peace Pavilion. The State of the Nation will be live streamed on the Cherokee Nation Facebook page for those who cannot make it in person.
More than 160 food and craft vendors are expected to attend multiple Cherokee National Holiday celebrations this year.
The 72nd Cherokee National Holiday theme is “Weaving Our Future.” The theme and art are meant to illustrate the traditional story of the water spider, one of the smallest creatures that according to Cherokees demonstrated no matter how small, every one of the tribe’s more than 460,000 citizens can make great and significant contributions to the fabric of Cherokee culture.
The theme also refers to the many ways Cherokee culture is interwoven into every aspect of our daily lives, both big and small, from revitalizing and perpetuating the Cherokee language to caring for children and elders. The Cherokee Nation is woven together by the values and culture that have been passed down by Cherokee ancestors and by the contributions of all Cherokees.
