The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Tennessee’s only tribally owned museum, will host the Cherokee Fall Festival formally known as the “Great Island Festival” on Sept. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.
At Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to experience Native American food, Cherokee arts and crafts demonstrations; music and dance and the blacksmith shop will be doing demonstrations both days. Special demonstrations and displays will include Cherokee life in the 1700’s. A Civil War encampment and the Civil War battle re-enactment will be held at 2 p.m.
The 26th Annual Cherokee Fall Festival’s theme is “Cherokee Phoenix”. Visitors will be able to meet and talk with Cherokees from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation in North Carolina.
"Check out our reconstructed 1800’s dog-trot log cabin. Meet and chat with Miss Cherokee. Have your name written in Cherokee. The Tennessee State Parks will be doing a Birds of Prey program both days. Meet Bill Landry. Bill will host a book signing on both days from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
"Other activities include posters from the Cherokee Elementary school, Cherokee NC. Darts, beads, talking sticks, face painting, and free Cherokee name cards will be available for children. We will also host a children’s blowgun competition and an adult blowgun competition on both days. Traditional Indian Fry bread and Indian tacos, and other food and drinks will be sold," officials said.
This event is funded in part by Tennessee Arts Commission Rural Arts Program Grant, and the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. Tickets are $5 each and children 12 and under are free. For more information about the Great Island Festival, contact the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum at 423-884-6246.