By Kirk Kramer
Phoenix Staff Writer
—
A free hog fry in honor of the late Wilma Mankiller will be a highlight of this year’s Cherokee National Holiday.
Mankiller was a past principal chief of the Cherokee Nation who died in April.
The Cherokee festival is held every year in Tahlequah on Labor Day weekend to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. This year’s event is Friday through Sunday.
Sammye Rusco, director of communications for the Cherokee Nation, said the hog fry will be held Saturday at the historic Cherokee Capitol building downtown.
It will be preceded by a 9:30 a.m. parade through downtown Tahlequah and a State of the Nation Address by Principal Chief Chad Smith.
Smith’s speech is expected to begin around 11 a.m.
This year’s national holiday is the 58th since the tradition began in 1953.
Rusco said a highlight of the weekend every year is an inter-tribal powwow held on Friday and Saturday nights. The powwow is held on the cultural grounds near Sequoyah School on U.S. 62 west of Tahlequah.
“People should come look for the cultural tours,” Rusco said. “That’s brand new this year.”
According to the holiday Web site, the tours will be held at the Murrell Home in Park Hill at 9 a.m. and noon Friday.
A traditional food cook-off is set for 5 p.m. Saturday west of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex on U.S. 62.
“There’s truly something for everybody,” Rusco said. “It’s a big family event.”
Youngsters should take particular interest in the traditional Cherokee games that will be held throughout the day Friday and Saturday. The cornstalk shoot, a blowgun contest and a stickball game are among the competitions.
Rusco said the national games are a particular draw for her.
“And I enjoy visiting with the Cherokee artists who sell their wares,” she said. “It’s a good time to go around and meet new people and see people you haven’t seen in a long time.”
Information: 456-5536 or holiday.cherokee.org/
If you go
WHAT: 58th annual Cherokee National Holiday.
WHERE: Tahlequah.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday.
INFORMATION: 456-5536 or holiday.cherokee.org/
Reach Kirk Kramer on 684-2901 or kkramer@muskogeephoenix.com.
