Cherokee Nation Seeking Native Artisans for National Holiday

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

September 2-4

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee National Holiday, held annually over Labor Day weekend since 1953, commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Nation Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world.

This year's Holiday theme is "Jobs, Language and Community," reflecting the Cherokee Nation's emphasis on cultural and economic initiatives.

The 59th Cherokee National Holiday has booth space available at four exciting locations for interested Native arts traders. The Holiday has become known as a major destination for those seeking to buy genuine Cherokee and other southeastern artwork.

For many vendors, the shady, scenic grounds of the Cherokee Heritage Center provide an ideal setting for art sales. Arts and crafts booths at the Cherokee Heritage Center will be open September 2 - 4 from 9 am to 5 pm. Artists must be a citizen of a federally recognized tribe and booth fees range from $75 to $85. Cherokee National Treasures and Tradition Keepers receive complimentary booth fees. No electric is available at this venue. Contact Becky Adair at 918-456-6007 ext.6160, for more information.

The Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds has vendor booths available on Friday, Sept. 2 from 4:30 pm to midnight and Saturday, September 3 from 1 pm to midnight in conjunction with the Cherokee National Holiday inter-tribal powwow. The event brings in several thousand visitors nightly and is one of the largest annual powwows in the state of Oklahoma. These booths are conveniently located near the powwow arena with fees ranging from $70 to $370. Applications for Cultural Grounds booth space must be submitted by August 12. Contact is Lou Slagle, 918-453-5544.

The Cherokee Nation Courthouse Square has 10x10 booths available on Saturday, September 3 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Booth fees range from $50 to $370. The deadline to submit applications is August 19. The square is the central location downtown for Cherokee National Holiday activities on Saturday, including the parade, historic State of the Nation ceremony, crowning of Miss Cherokee and several other events that attract a large crowd. Contact Rhonda Cochran at 918-822-2529 for information.

Booths are also available next to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex, located on Muskogee Ave. south of Tahlequah. Anyone is welcome to rent this booth space, which is available Friday, September 2 from 5 pm to 10 pm Saturday, September 3 from noon to 10:30 pm and Sunday, September 4 from noon to 6 pm. These spaces are in large tents and are surrounded by activities such as the traditional games play-offs, traditional food cook-off, a large selection of children's games, bingo and gospel singing. Booth fees range from $70 to $370. Applications for this space must be submitted by August 26. Contact Lou Slagle at 918-453-5544 for additional information.

Some locations are also accepting applications for food and beverage concessions.

For concession space cost and information, please contact the location coordinator. All vendors are required to supply their own tables, chairs and tents. A limited number of spaces are available with electricity at each location except the Cherokee Heritage Center grounds.

The 59th Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event. It is sponsored by the Cherokee Nation, a modern tribe of more than 300,000 citizens with its capital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

For a full schedule of events and event locations for the Cherokee National Holiday, please call 918-453-5536 or visit Cherokee.org »

posted July 26, 2011 7:39 am edt