Red Clay State Park Announces Cherokee Days of Recognition, August 1-2

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Red Clay State Park will host its 27th Annual Cherokee Days of Recognition festival August 1-2, featuring traditional Cherokee dance, food and arts. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. each day and run until approximately 5 p.m. The festival is open to the public. While admission to the event is free, there is a $5 parking fee per vehicle or motorcycle.

“Cherokee Days of Recognition is a time-honored, cultural event and a great way to learn about and to celebrate Cherokee history,” said Carol Crabtree, park manager. “We are always so fortunate to host many talented artisans, musicians and performers and encourage everyone to join us in our celebration of a very important part of Tennessee’s history and its future.” 

Featured attractions will include Cherokee traditional and fancy dancers, storytelling, living history demonstrations and more. The annual Red Clay Open Blowgun Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, with men’s, women’s and youth divisions. Participants must bring their own river cane blowgun and darts. 

In addition to the long-standing list of gifted artists, two special visitors will be highlighted at this year’s event. Language specialist Marie Junaluska will host several programs on the Cherokee language, history and culture throughout the two-day event.  These programs will be held at the Visitor Center Theater (times to be announced). Junaluska has served as an elected member of the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokees since 1997, representing the Painttown Community. 

Eastern Band Cherokee Storyteller Fred Bradley has been a regular fixture at past Cherokee Days celebrations. After a hiatus for a number of years, Red Clay is pleased to welcome Bradley back to share his gifted talents as a storyteller and his captivating tales of ancestral stories and the Cherokee people. Designed for audiences of all ages, these storytelling programs will be held both Saturday and Sunday in the park’s small amphitheater. 

Cherokee arts and crafts will be demonstrated and sold both days. Cherokee foods also will be available, along with some old favorites. Park visitors should bring a blanket or chairs, along with sunscreen.  Cash is accepted for purchases, with some booths accepting personal checks. 

Red Clay State Historic Park is located in the extreme southwest corner of Bradley County, just above the Tennessee-Georgia state line, and is the site of 11 of the last 12 Cherokee Council meetings before the infamous Trail of Tears.

The park encompasses 263 acres of narrow valley and forested ridges and features picnic facilities, a loop trail and amphitheater. The park also contains a natural landmark, the Blue Hole Spring, which arises from beneath a limestone ledge to form a deep pool that flows into Mill Creek. The Cherokee used the Blue Hole Spring as their water supply during council meetings.

For more information about Cherokee Days of Recognition or Red Clay State Park, visit the Web site at: www.tnstateparks.com/RedClay/ or call the park office at 423-478-0339.