Cherokee National Holiday in Taloqua: parade, pow‑wow, games and logistics preview
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The Cherokee Nation is preparing for its annual Cherokee National Holiday in Taloqua, a Labor Day weekend homecoming that commemorates the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Nation Constitution and draws citizens and visitors to cultural events across the capital.
Deputy Principal Chief Ryan Warner and Crystal Walters, director of the Cherokee National Holiday, outlined the event schedule and logistics in a broadcast segment. Walters said the parade, scheduled for Saturday morning, will include “somewhere around 75 to 100 floats or participants,” followed by the State of the Nation address at 11:00 a.m. on the Peace Pavilion stage. Dennis Sixkiller will provide Cherokee‑language translation for the parade coverage, Walters said.
Organizers described a broad program of activities: traditional games (cornstck, chunky, flow gun, hatchet throwing and horseshoes) at OneFire Field; stickball at Sequoia High School’s track; and marbles at the marble field by the heritage center. OneFire Field will also host vendor tents, food trucks, a children’s fun zone and the Dala Palooa concert Friday and Saturday nights.
Walters said pow‑wow registration will be in person on Friday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., with grand entry at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday will include a gourd dance from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and another grand entry at 7:00 p.m. Organizers added a second craft tent this year and plan drone and jumbotron coverage so attendees across the arena can see live footage.
Other programming includes a junior livestock show for youth at the Cherokee County Livestock Arena on Sept. 22–23 and a bass tournament at Chicken Creek on Sept. 7 (noted by Walters as the weekend after the Holiday). Downtown activities will include an artisan marketplace on the history museum lawn, an art and quilt show, the youth choir concert at the Chota Conference Center and a Sunday morning car show, capped by a fireworks finale on Sunday evening.
Warner urged attendees to use the shuttle system and park at OneFire Field as a traffic‑management strategy. “That’s one great way to mitigate a holiday headache,” Warner said, noting shuttles serve the pow‑wow and the Chota Conference Center. Organizers said hydration stations will be placed throughout the grounds and recommended attendees come prepared for heat or rain.
Walters pointed listeners to the Cherokee Nation’s event page and social media for up‑to‑date information; the broadcast listed Cherokee.com and the Cherokee Nation Facebook page as primary resources. Warner closed the segment by inviting citizens and guests to participate in the celebration and the Cherokee principle of Gadooi.
The broadcast concluded with a studio performance by musical guests Desi and Cody. For visitors, organizers emphasized that many activities are family‑oriented and accessible to a range of ages and mobility levels.
Deputy Principal Chief Ryan Warner and Crystal Walters, director of the Cherokee National Holiday, outlined the event schedule and logistics in a broadcast segment. Walters said the parade, scheduled for Saturday morning, will include “somewhere around 75 to 100 floats or participants,” followed by the State of the Nation address at 11:00 a.m. on the Peace Pavilion stage. Dennis Sixkiller will provide Cherokee‑language translation for the parade coverage, Walters said.
Organizers described a broad program of activities: traditional games (cornstck, chunky, flow gun, hatchet throwing and horseshoes) at OneFire Field; stickball at Sequoia High School’s track; and marbles at the marble field by the heritage center. OneFire Field will also host vendor tents, food trucks, a children’s fun zone and the Dala Palooa concert Friday and Saturday nights.
Walters said pow‑wow registration will be in person on Friday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., with grand entry at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday will include a gourd dance from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and another grand entry at 7:00 p.m. Organizers added a second craft tent this year and plan drone and jumbotron coverage so attendees across the arena can see live footage.
Other programming includes a junior livestock show for youth at the Cherokee County Livestock Arena on Sept. 22–23 and a bass tournament at Chicken Creek on Sept. 7 (noted by Walters as the weekend after the Holiday). Downtown activities will include an artisan marketplace on the history museum lawn, an art and quilt show, the youth choir concert at the Chota Conference Center and a Sunday morning car show, capped by a fireworks finale on Sunday evening.
Warner urged attendees to use the shuttle system and park at OneFire Field as a traffic‑management strategy. “That’s one great way to mitigate a holiday headache,” Warner said, noting shuttles serve the pow‑wow and the Chota Conference Center. Organizers said hydration stations will be placed throughout the grounds and recommended attendees come prepared for heat or rain.
Walters pointed listeners to the Cherokee Nation’s event page and social media for up‑to‑date information; the broadcast listed Cherokee.com and the Cherokee Nation Facebook page as primary resources. Warner closed the segment by inviting citizens and guests to participate in the celebration and the Cherokee principle of Gadooi.
The broadcast concluded with a studio performance by musical guests Desi and Cody. For visitors, organizers emphasized that many activities are family‑oriented and accessible to a range of ages and mobility levels.
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