106th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair

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