Published: October 02, 2009 09:38 am      

Five-day fete at Cherokee Indian Fair

For nearly 100 years, residents of and visitors to Western North Carolina have known there's only one place to be in the first full week of October. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians host the 97th annual Cherokee Indian Fair at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds in Cherokee, NC, Oct. 6-10. The fair offers topnotch nightly musical entertainment, fireworks, a carnival midway full of rides and games, craft vendors, food vendors including some featuring traditional Cherokee food, and an exhibit hall displaying the Eastern Band enrolled members traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Visitors will also have a chance to see a comedy show, gospel music, and a host of family-friendly competitions such as blowgun, longbow and compound bow archery contests and wood chopping.

The fair began as a way for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to showcase their arts and crafts and invite neighboring communities to the Qualla Boundary, the tribe's traditional homeland. The fair has grown since its early days, but its original focus remains - showcasing Cherokee's remarkable culture and heritage. This is a hugely popular event among Eastern Band members and a great opportunity for visitors to experience the fun, welcoming qualities of the Cherokee culture.

A parade at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, kicks off the annual five-day fete and is followed by the highly anticipated annual Miss Cherokee Pageant at 7 p.m. and the Cherokee Idol Contest at 9 p.m. Wednesday is Children's Day and features fun games like potato sack racing, trout fishing and crafting for the little ones. Bo Bice, an American Idol favorite, headlines Wednesday night's musical acts. Thursday honors the Elders with free admission attendees age 59 1/2 or older until 5 p.m. and includes activities such as bingo, clogging and more. Friday is dedicated to the veterans, with all veterans and active duty military personnel receiving free admission until 5 p.m. Community Day is Saturday, Oct. 10 and is complete with a horseshoe tournament and contests that include longest hair, baby crawling, clogging, and corn shucking. The fair wraps up on Saturday night with musical performances by singer songwriter Crystal Shawanda and the legendary Charlie Daniels Band at 9 p.m. and a booming, grand finale of fireworks at 11 p.m.

Daily General admission is $10 and includes nightly concerts; children 6 and under are admitted free. Opens 10 a.m. daily, with nightly shows. The Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds are on Hwy. 441 in Cherokee. For more information, visit www.cherokee-nc.com/indianfair.

Cherokee, NC, presents some of the most significant and culturally authentic events in the United States, rich in elaborate Native American ceremony, regalia, native song and dance, traditional arts and crafts, legends and historic traditions. Affordable cultural attractions include the 60th Anniversary of the Outdoor Drama "Unto These Hills" performed at the open-air Mountainside Theatre, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual. Cherokee, NC was named 2006 Travel Attraction of the Year by the Southeast Tourism Society. For more information about Cherokee, visit www.cherokee-nc.com or call (800) 438-1601.