It’s over a century old. It’s a cornucopia of sights and sounds—a treat for all your senses. It’s a carnival and an agriculture show. It’s an art show and a game show. There’s food, music and rides. It’s pure, unfiltered fair entertainment with that unmistakable Cherokee touch: a Ferris wheel, fireworks, and stickball.
Stickball has long been known as the “Little Brother of War,” and you’ll find thrilling demonstrations of it mixed into all the traditional fair fun and food. In fact, you’re going to find ample amounts of all sorts of authentic Cherokee culture, including archery and blowgun demonstrations, local art, dance, music, and more.
Happening at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, the 106th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair is October 2-6.
Tuesday, Oct. 2 (Parade Day)
9am: Line up for parade
2:30pm: Judging
4pm: Parade starts
6pm: Opening prayer
6:05pm:
– Presentation of colors;
– National Anthem;
– Cherokee Anthem
6:15pm:
– Principal Chief and Vice Chief welcome;
– Council recognition;
– Recognition of Grand Marshals,
– Grand Marshals speech
6:40pm: Warriors of Anikituhwah
6:45pm: Face of the Future Dancers
7pm: Baily Mountain Cloggers
7:30pm: Matt Tooni (Flute Playing)
7:45pm: Lori Sanders
8pm: Miss Cherokee
10pm: Gates Close
Wednesday, Oct. 3 (Children’s Day)
9am:
– Gates and exhibit hall open,
– Sign-ups for archery (Unity)
9:45am: Baby crawling contest
10am:
– Ride wristbands given out;
– Archery begins at Unity Field;
– All-day stage show
10:15am: Sign-ups for contests begins
10:30am: Greasy pig contest
11am: Lunch begins
11:30am:
– Hula hoop;
– Rock, paper, scissors
11:45am: Team obstacle course
12pm:
– Rides begin;
– Traditional Dancers
12:30pm: Longest hair contest begins
1pm: Longest hair contest ends
2pm: Youth stickball (6-9yrs) (Wolftown vs Big Cove) at Fairgrounds
3pm: Youth stickball (10-12yrs) (Wolftown vs Big Cove) at Fairgrounds
4pm: Men’s stickball (Wolftown vs Birdtown) at Unity Field
5pm: Buddy Big Mountain
6pm: Seventh Generation Dancers
6:45pm: Kenyas performance
7:30pm: Teen Miss Cherokee
9:30pm: Youth Lip Sync (12-16yrs)
11pm: Gates close
Thursday, Oct. 4 (Elder’s Day)
9am:
– Gates open
– Breakfast
9:15am: Presentation of colors
9:30am: Cornhole sign-ups
10am: Cornhole tournament
10:30am:
– Field events
– Maybell and Alfred Welch
11:30am:
– Lunch
– Door prize drawing
12:30pm: Bingo
2pm:
– Field events end
– Remember Then
3pm: Lip Sync Battle seniors
4pm: Youth stickball (10-12yrs) (Big Cove vs Wolftown) at Fairgrounds
5pm: Elder’s stickball at Fairgrounds
6pm: Men’s Stickball (Hummingbirds vs Big Cove) at Unity Field
7pm: Little and Junior Miss Cherokee
9pm: Lip Sync Battle (17yrs and up)
10pm: Gates close
Friday, Oct. 5 (Veteran’s Day)
10am:
– Gates open
– Veteran’s walk
11am:
– Veteran’s lunch
– Aunt Bee’s Jam
12:30pm:
– Opening ceremony
– Presentation of colors
– Opening prayer
– POW/MIA ceremony
– Guest speaker/Vietnam pinning ceremony
– EBCI Principal Chief
– Quilts of Valor ceremony
2pm: Wings to Soar/Birds of Prey
3:15pm: Youth Stickball (6-9yrs) (Big Cove vs Wolftown) at Fairgrounds
4:15pm: Aunt Bee’s Jam
4:30pm: Men’s stickball (Wolftown vs Big Cove) at Unity Field
5:30pm:
– Spartanburg Rifle Drill Team
– Men’s Stickball (Birdtown vs Hummingbirds) at Unity Field
7pm:
– Closing ceremony
– Angel flight
– EBCI roll call
– Sounding of TAPS
– Closing remarks
8:30pm: USO show
9:30pm: Ryan Perry Band
11pm: Gates close
Saturday, Oct. 6 (Community Day)
9am:
– Gates open
– Sign-ups for archery and blowgun
10am: Archery and blowgun at Unity Field
11am: Chief’s hour (on stage)
12:30pm: Wood chopping
1pm: Cornhole
1:30pm: Ladies hammer throw
2pm: Mens heavy throw
2:30pm: Tug-of-War
3pm:
– Relay
– Co-ed volleyball tournament sponsored by CHS volleyball team
4pm: Teen stickball (13-17yrs) (Wolftown vs Big Cove) at Unity Field
4:30pm: Cherokee language quiz bowl
5pm: Men’s stickball (Wolftown vs Hummingbirds) at Unity Field
6pm: Men’s stickball (Birdtown vs Big Cove) at Unity Field
6:30pm: Shawn Abbott Band at the stage
7:30pm: Cherokee Lip Sync finale
9pm: The Legends of Country
10:30pm: Fireworks
11pm: Pretty legs
12am: Gates close