Red Clay State Historical Park Hosts Cherokee Culture Celebration

  • Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Red Clay State Historic Park located in Bradley County on the border of Georgia will hold its annual Cherokee Culture Celebration this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.  This year will feature the Warriors of Anikituhwa, a nationally known Cherokee dance group. They are designated as the official cultural ambassadors for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The public is invited. There is no cost to attend the events. There is a $5 parking fee.

Red Clay State Historic Park Manager Erin Medley said, “We are excited about having the Anikituhwa Warriors here at the park. We have been trying for years to arrange their schedule to include Red Clay.  The group will bring to life the Cherokee War Dance and the Eagle Tail Dance.”

The dance team has performed around the world including the National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian Museum of National History, Berlin, and Montreal. They will perform Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

Also, the Oconaluftee Indian Village will be sending 18th century living history demonstrators who will be demonstrating traditional pottery, basket weaving, and fashion beadwork. The Wolftown Stickball Players will be demonstrating an intense game of stickball.

Attendees can enter a traditional blowgun tournament with cash prizes.  Traditional and contemporary food vendors will also be set up in the park.
 
Ms. Medley said, “The event is sponsored by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee Indians, Tennessee State Parks, and the Friends of Red Clay.’
 
The park site was the last seat of the Cherokee national government before the 1838 enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by the U.S. military, which resulted in most of the Cherokee people in the area being forced to emigrate west. Eleven general councils were held between 1832 and 1837. Red Clay is where the Trail of Tears really began, for it was at the Red Clay Council Grounds that the Cherokee learned that they had lost their mountains, streams, and valleys forever. 

For more information and directions to the park go to http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/red-clay  or follow the park on Facebook at Red Clay State Historic Park.  The park is located at 1140 Red Clay Park in Cleveland. Contact the park at 423 478-0339.

Happenings
"Riverfront Nights" Gets Temporary Beer Permit
  • 5/3/2024

This year, “Riverfront Nights”, the free live music concert series put on by Friends of the Festival, will be held on 14 Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. All will take place at Ross’s ... more

North River Civic Center's Community Plant Swap Is May 11
North River Civic Center's Community Plant Swap Is May 11
  • 5/2/2024

The public is invited to bring your plants and exchange them with another person who enjoys the art of gardening on Saturday, May 11 from 1-3 p.m. at North River Civic Center. Only healthy ... more

Volunteers Needed For Raising Of Memorial Day Flags In Ringgold
Volunteers Needed For Raising Of Memorial Day Flags In Ringgold
  • 5/2/2024

Volunteers are needed to raise and lower Memorial Day flags honoring the deceased veterans of Catoosa County. "This year there will be 2,076 flags and crosses flying throughout the city ... more