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August 10, 2009

Cherokee National Holiday Fiddlers Contest offers music and fun

TAHLEQUAH — It’s time to rosin up your bow and get ready for this year’s Cherokee National Holiday Fiddlers Contest.

Held in conjunction with the 57th Cherokee National Holiday, the contest will start at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Talking Leaves Job Corps gymnasium, 5700 Bald Hill Road.

“All fiddlers are welcome, young and old,” said Jerry Bigfeather, event coordinator. “Admission is free. It’s cool inside, and you can sit down and be entertained by some of the best fiddling music to be heard in Northeastern Oklahoma. Wi tse do lv i (Ya’ll come).”

The contest is divided up into four different categories, the Juniors’ division for ages 17 and under, the Old-timers’ division for ages 65 and over, and the Open and No Holds Barred divisions, which are both open for all ages.

There will be an entry fee of $5 per contestant for each division. All participants have up until the day of the event to enter the competition. More than $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of each division. Door prize drawings will be going on throughout the day.

Information: Jerry Bigfeather, 453-5123m between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its 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 theme is E-loh-i nu-s-di-da-nv de-ga-de-la-qua-s-ge-s-di (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th annual Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event.

Information: 453-5536 or http://holiday.cherokee.org.

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