Festival of Native Peoples

7/17/08 - 7/19/08
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Contact: Cherokee Welcome Center - (800) 438-1601 — Contact: John Grant - (828) 497-4496

"BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE"

Present your ticket stub from Festival of Native Peoples to the box office and get two adult tickets for the price of one to Unto These Hills outdoor drama or the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Expires 7.20.08.

This year our annual gathering of tribes from throughout the Americas takes its rightful place as the finest showcase of native dance, art, and culture in the southeast. The Festival of Native Peoples is an exposition of non-competitive dance, storytelling, and song performances expressing the collected history, culture, tradition, and wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Entertainment throughout the day will include a replica of an Apache dwelling with audience participation, hoop dancing, flute music, and Cherokee storytellers. Other performers include the Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai, Hopi Senom Dance Group, Phoenix, Arizona - Ambassador's of the State of Arizona and the Yellow Bird Apache champion dancers who have been performing for presidents and heads of state for 22 years.

The festival will also play host to one of the southeast’s largest Native American art markets. The Cherokee Art Market will feature over fifty nationally recognized, juried craftspeople and artisans from around the country displaying and selling their handmade traditional and contemporary works of art ranging in price from $10 to tens of thousands of dollars. Artists will also demonstrate techniques passed down from generation to generation.

Arts and crafts on display include traditional Cherokee white oak and river cane baskets, black and traditional pottery, wood and stone carvings, paintings, silver and turquoise jewelry, and much more. The market will present the work of such esteemed artists as Darrin Bark, John Grant, Jeanean Hornbuckle, Mary James, Nikki Nations, Joel Queen, Bud Smith, and Mattie Welch Wildcat, Shan Goshorn, Ramona Lossie, Lori Reed, Lucille Lossiah, Betty Maney and Louise Goings, to name just a few.

Gates open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with performances throughout the day. Art market opens at 9 a.m. Adult admission $10; children six and under are free. For Discount Ticket Packages or more information, call 800.438.1601 or visit www.cherokee-nc.com

The Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds is at 745 Tsali Blvd., off U.S. 441 in Cherokee. Sponsored by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation 1008 and Food Lion. Present your Food Lion MVP card and get $2 off. Present your ticket stub from the Festival of Native Peoples and get “Buy One Get One Free” ADULT tickets to “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama or Oconaluftee Indian Village.

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MARCH

Cherokee KOA Fishing Tournament : 3/29/08
Ramp It Up!: 3/29/08

APRIL

Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally: 4/25/08 - 4/27/08

MAY

Week of the Young Child: 5/5/08 - 5/10/08
Cherokee Visitor Appreciation Day: 5/8/08
Oconaluftee Indian Village: 5/9/08 - 10/18/08
Cruise the Smokies - Spring Cherokee Rod Run: 5/16/08 - 5/18/08
Memorial Day Powwow: 5/23/08 - 5/25/08
Cherokee Day of Caring: 5/31/08
Tom Johnson RV Show: 5/31/08 - 6/1/08

JUNE

Oconaluftee Indian Village: 5/9/08 - 10/18/08
Tom Johnson RV Show: 5/31/08 - 6/1/08
Gourd Festival: 6/6/08 - 6/8/08
"Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama": 6/13/08 - 8/30/08
Cherokee Voices Festival: 6/14/08 - 6/14/08
Summerfest Carnival: 6/17/08 - 6/21/08
34th Annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival: 6/19/08 - 6/21/08
2nd Annual Housing Fair: 6/27/08 - 6/28/08

JULY

Oconaluftee Indian Village: 5/9/08 - 10/18/08
"Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama": 6/13/08 - 8/30/08
July 4th Fireworks: 7/4/08
July Powwow: 7/4/08 - 7/6/08
Dare Motorcycle Run: 7/12/08
Festival of Native Peoples: 7/17/08 - 7/19/08

AUGUST

Oconaluftee Indian Village: 5/9/08 - 10/18/08
"Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama": 6/13/08 - 8/30/08
7th Annual Talking Trees Children's Trout Derby: 8/2/08
Cherokee KOA Fishing Tournament: 8/23/08
Qualla Arts Open Air Indian Art Market: 8/30/08

SEPTEMBER

Oconaluftee Indian Village: 5/9/08 - 10/18/08
Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts Celebration: 9/20/08

OCTOBER

Oconaluftee Indian Village: 5/9/08 - 10/18/08
96th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair: 10/7/08 - 10/11/08
3rd Annual Big Rigs Antique Truck Show: 10/16/08 - 10/18/08
Qualla Arts Open Air Indian Air Market: 10/18/08
Rotary Craft Fair: 10/23/08 - 10/25/08
Cruise the Smokies - Fall Cherokee Rod Run: 10/31/08 - 11/2/08

NOVEMBER

Cruise the Smokies - Fall Cherokee Rod Run: 10/31/08 - 11/2/08

DECEMBER

Cherokee Christmas Parade: 12/13/08
New Year's Eve Fireworks: 12/31/08