Tribe set to kick off 99th Indian Fair

By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF

     The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is set to kick off the 99th Cherokee Indian Fair with a parade on Tuesday, Oct. 4.  With the theme, “Cherokee Matriarchs: The Strength of Our Nation”, the Fair will continue through Saturday, Oct. 8. 
 

Geraldine Thompson and Annie Owens lead out last year’s Cherokee Indian Fair Parade.  This year’s parade is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)

     Prior to the parade, the festivities will kick off with the 2nd Annual Chief’s Challenge mile-run race through the streets of Cherokee.  Registration will be held for the race from 12 – 2:30pm at the Cherokee Bear Zoo and the race will start at 3pm.  Registration is $10/adults and $5 for children 12 and under.  For information on the Chief’s Challenge, call Tara McCoy 497-1976 or Phyll Reed 497-1971. 
 

     Due to the race and the parade, White Water Road will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 2pm until the end of the parade. 
 

     Christopher Watty, an EBCI tribal member, has been named the master of ceremonies for this year’s fair. 
 

     “He (Christopher) has hosted events in Cherokee for several years,” said Robert Jumper, EBCI Travel & Tourism acting director, “and we are pleased to have him as our master of ceremonies for the Fair this year.” 
 

     The Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 is hosting an honors ceremony for women veterans during Veterans Day on Friday, Oct. 7.  The event will start at 11am with a recognition of guests including Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC); Gen. Mark J. Sisinyak (USA Ret); and Sharon K. West, RN, MHS, Women Veterans program manager at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville. 
 

     Following lunch, there will be a presentation of the “Quilts of Valor” to veterans by Susan Roper and the Women’s Veteran’s Honoring Ceremony will start at 1pm.  That will be followed by an American Legion Ladies Auxillary Honoring Ceremony at 2pm where Viola T. French and Mary Jane Taylor will be honored for their service to the American Legion. 
 

     Live entertainment will go on throughout the week and each night a different headline act will appear including:
– Tuesday, Oct. 4 – The Original Drifters
– Wednesday, Oct. 5 – Litefoot
– Thursday, Oct. 6 – Raymond Fairchild, Hoss Howard Band
– Friday, Oct. 7 – Hero, Mothers Finest
– Saturday, Oct. 8 – Charlie Daniels Band
 

     General admission daily is $10 and children six and under are free.  EBCI tribal members get free admission.  Bring your enrollment card to the Fairgrounds to receive a ticket for the fair.  According to Travel & Tourism officials, an official EBCI enrollment card is the only accepted verification to get the free ticket.  Children under six are not required to have proof of enrollment.

Schedule of Events: