Press release from the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association:
The Cherokee Homestead Exhibit in Hayesville, NC will be brought to life on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 am – 3 pm with live demonstrations, traditional dancing, music, Cherokee food, and presentations at the Cherokee Heritage Festival. The Cherokee who will be participating in this free event “descend from those who were able to hold on to land they owned, those who hid in the hills defying removal, and others who returned, many on foot,” according to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Webpage. While most people who live in the area are familiar with how closely tied our early history is with the Cherokees and with the sad chapter of that history called The Trail of Tears, unfortunately for many of us, our knowledge ends there.
The Cherokee Heritage Festival will offer a colorful and fun way for families to fill in those missing gaps, while spending the day getting acquainted with the talented artisans, historians, and storytellers of the modern day Cherokees. You’ll want to sample Cherokee frybread while you’re there and peruse the authentic art and crafts that are available for purchase. Children of all ages will want to try their hands at the interactive activities and crafts area. Everyone will enjoy watching the Oconaluftee Village Cherokee Indians perform traditional dances at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
Whether you are a family who’s been driving by the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit without stopping or you’re someone looking to bring history to life, come on out to enjoy the Cherokee Heritage Festival at the 17th century Cherokee Homestead Exhibit near downtown Hayesville.
Festival attendees are encouraged to visit other attractions along the 2-mile Quanassee Path: A Cherokee History Trail which includes the exhibit, Old Jail Museum, Cherokee Cultural Center at Moss Memorial Library, Spikebuck Mound/Quanassee Town site and the Cherokee Botanical Sanctuary, where Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition’s Tony Ward will lead native plant walks at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. The adjacent museum located at 21 Davis Loop, is open from 10 am – 4 pm, and features Cherokee artifacts, local history displays, and art. Work of regional artists will be for sale on the museum grounds from 10 am – 2 pm. There is no entrance fee for the festival or museum.
In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Lions Club/Scout Hut located behind the Old Jail Museum. Call 828-389-3045 or visit the website: cccra-nc.org for details. Clay County Communities Revitalization Association and Clay County Travel & Tourism are sponsoring this free event for the community.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.