Tuesday, June 6 from 5:00 pm to Saturday, June 10 at 11:00 pm
The Cherokee Summer Carnival presents family-friendly fun with a variety of vendors, food, games, karaoke, and literally dozens of carnival rides. The carnival will be open for five full days of entertainment and a summer celebration you can’t miss.
Entrance is free to the public.
Ride ticket prices:
$20 – Unlimited rides
$3–$5 – Individually purchased rides
$1–$3 – Games
The voices of an 11,000-year-old culture are inviting you to come out and play. Cherokee culture speaks in its most thrilling ways through dance, music, storytelling, and arts and crafts. You’re invited to hear and experience it all during the Cherokee Voices Festival, now in its 22nd year. It’s free of charge and held at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Museum.
Cherokee’s family bluegrass music festival takes place June 2–4, 2016 with some of the brightest stars in bluegrass music. There will be live music daily from noon to 10:30 p.m. at the Happy Holiday RV Village and Campground in Cherokee.
The performance lineup includes:
Thursday, June 2 – The Marksmen, Flatt Lonesome, The Spinney Brothers, Audie Blaylock, The Gibson Brothers, & Band of Ruhks
Friday, June 3 – Cody Shuler, Marty Raybon, Little Roy & Lizzy, The Crowe Brothers, Rhonda Vincent, & Gene Watson Saturday,
June 4 – Big Country Bluegrass, Lorraine Jordan, Goldwing Express, Balsam Range, Larry Sparks, Mike Snider
Tickets can be purchased by calling 706.864.7203 or at http://www.AdamsBluegrass.com.
At the Cherokee Bonfire you can sit around a crackling fire at dusk and listen to Cherokee storytellers share stories and myths from the beginning of time. As the stories begin, sometimes accompanied by the beat of a hand drum, a sense of anticipation grows. In the background, the Oconaluftee River gently flows, and the stars begin to shine.
The setting is peaceful, but the narratives are riveting, including stories about animals, creation myths, legends, and even some ghost stories thrown into the mix. During the break, marshmallows are handed out for roasting.
“We have all kinds of stories,” says Daniel Tramper, the organizer of the Cherokee Bonfire series. “It’s a lot of unique stories that you won’t hear anywhere else.”
The Cherokee Bonfire series started seven years ago as a way to bring people together to learn about Cherokee culture and history through live storytelling, music, dance, and performance.
It started as an idea to give back to the communities that visit Cherokee, says Daniel.
Over the years it has grown, but it still remains a free, family-friendly event taking place on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Oconaluftee Islands Park during the spring and fall. This year the season will be extended, due to popular demand. The 2017 Cherokee Bonfire series runs from May 26 to August 26 and then picks up again every Friday and Saturday in October. Building up to the 4th of July Powwow weekend celebrations, there will also be nightly performances from June 26th to July 1st. Note that there will be no Bonfire events in September.
Storytellers for the 2017 season include seasoned favorites like John Toineeta, pictured at above, as well as Kathi Littlejohn, and Lloyd Arneach. Sonny Ledford, Jaret Wildcat, Ernest Grant, and Will Tuschka are featured educators at the Bonfire, sharing Cherokee history and culture. Edward Sherrill, Daniel Tramper’s son, is a new storyteller joining the Bonfire circle. Mike Crowe, one of the stars of “Unto These Hills,” will be a special guest at the bonfire in October.
At the Cherokee Bonfire, the storytellers and performers work to preserve the ancient Cherokee traditions and keep them alive.
“The stories are the traditions of our people. If you don’t have the language, you don’t have the stories. That’s what makes the tribe: your language, your stories, your people, your food, your traditions,” says Daniel.
There is seating for around a hundred people in the benches arranged around the bonfire, but the crowds are already at a record high for this season, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or a blanket to spread out on the grass. Water will be provided. This event is free and family-friendly.
– See more at: http://visitcherokeenc.com/blog/entry/the-cherokee-bonfire-series-returns-with-an-extended-season/#sthash.Ug5dqYRO.dpuf
May 26th-Sept 2nd
Enjoy open-air musical performances by the river Friday and Saturday evenings in downtown Cherokee. Performances include rock n’ roll, blues, jazz, gospel and country, and are staged near local eateries, shopping, and downtown water features with room to dance along.
Sponsored by the North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA), the Strawberry Festival features fresh berries, delicious recipes, strawberry products, and fun activities for the whole family. Admission is free to the public. Vendor space available.
Entertainment/Event Schedule:
9 a.m.
Opening ceremony
Concession stand opens
Strawberry Legend: adult and youth
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Children’s activities
11 a.m.
Community entertainment, demonstrations, and talent show
1 p.m.
Adult and youth contests
Concession stand closed
2 p.m.
Prizes awarded
The 2016 Mother’s Day 5K Run/Walk will be held at Kituwah Mound, also known as the Mother Town. Hosted by Cherokee Choices, the event takes place on a new course that has a bit of everything: road, farm road, and trails–offering a complete review of the historic site. The course is perfect for seasoned runners, first-timers, and walkers. Cool shirts, great awards, and a great cause: all proceeds benefit the Cherokee Dialysis Support Group.
Registration will be accessible online at RunSignup.com or in person from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. .
Parents and children are welcome to come and enjoy fun, food, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free to the public.
Kid Fest Epic Easter event at all area BELK stores. During this event, you’ll be able to meet the Easter Bunny & join in on an Easter egg hunt, starting at noon. You’ll get to build an Easter Basket & Register to win a family portrait session. There will also be a kids fashion show! If you would like your child to participate in the fashion show, go to the kids department at Belk to sign up.