{"id":29377,"date":"2022-11-03T10:56:12","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T14:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=29377"},"modified":"2022-11-03T11:18:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T15:18:20","slug":"peoples-world-cherokee-indian-fair-returns-after-covid-19-hiatus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/11\/03\/peoples-world-cherokee-indian-fair-returns-after-covid-19-hiatus\/","title":{"rendered":"People’s World: Cherokee Indian Fair returns after COVID-19 hiatus"},"content":{"rendered":" \"Cherokee<\/a>
Art from the 2022 Cherokee Indian Fair exhibit book. Images courtesy Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians<\/figcaption>\r\n
Cherokee Indian Fair back after pandemic cancellations<\/div>\r\n
Thursday, November 3, 2022<\/div>\r\n
By Albert Bender<\/div>\r\n
People's World<\/div>\r\n
peoplesworld.org<\/A><\/div>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nCHEROKEE, North Carolina — The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) held its 110th Cherokee Indian Fair from October 4-8 after two years of cancellations due to the pandemic. In fact, at one point there was uncertainty as to when the fair would resume. Having attended the fair since I was a child, it was a joyous occasion to be back again.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nA number of factors rendered this year\u2019s gathering potentially problematic. First, there was a necessary change of location due to the amphitheater canopy at the Ceremonial Grounds developing structural problems, rendering it unsafe. Due to such problems many fair activities were moved to the Cherokee Convention Center, and fair rides were also relocated.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThere were mixed sentiments about these changes among some Tribal members, but the changes were made with the safety of Cherokee citizens and all other attendees foremost in mind.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

<\/a>

We hope you enjoy this video we put together from today's Cherokee Indian Fair Parade. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>Posted by Cherokee One Feather<\/a> on Tuesday, October 4, 2022<\/blockquote><\/div>\r\n

Cherokee One Feather: Cherokee Indian Fair Parade<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

Brief history of the Cherokee Indian Fair<\/div>\r\nBefore proceeding further with this year\u2019s fair, a brief history of the week-long event is in order. In the summer of 1912, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Cato Sells, made a special trip to the reservation at Cherokee, N.C., from Washington, D.C. The purpose of his trip was to discuss with Cherokee leaders the possibility of organizing and promoting an Indian Fair. The objective was that the six townships on the reservation each organize a club that would develop into a Farmer\u2019s Organization.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe Big Cove township proceeded under the direction of Cherokee traditionalist leader Will West Long and held a special meeting to elect a Fair Committee. The next decision to be made was where to hold the fair, either at Big Cove or Cherokee. It was decided that the location would be Cherokee, and the next decision made was on what to call the fair. \u201cCherokee Indian Fair\u201d won out, and so it has been ever since.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe main purpose of the fair was to provide an opportunity for tribal members and the reservation communities to have a grand yearly get-together.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\"Cherokee<\/a>

Crafts and creations of all types are on display at the Cherokee Indian Fair. Photos by Cassy Bender and Melanie Bender<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

Today\u2019s fair 2022<\/div>\r\nThis year\u2019s fair had as its theme \u201cHniwi Tsalagi \u2013 Say it in Cherokee.\u201d The theme continued: \u201cEvery chance you get, speak Cherokee, no matter how much or how little you know. Come up with resources to learn phrases and words in our everyday lives.\u201d This was an emphasis on the paramount importance of the sacredness of the Cherokee language as a necessary part of Cherokee identity and culture.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe fair is held in the town of Cherokee, which is the main administrative center for the reservation. It also showcases Cherokee culture with arts and crafts, including beadwork, wood and stone carving, pottery, painting, drawing, finger weaving, and doll making. It also comes complete with Miss Cherokee pageants, rides, and music by well-known bands.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe 2022 edition of the fair started with a week-long panoply of activities beginning on Tuesday, October 4, and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 8. Each day had a different focus. For example, Tuesday was Parade Day, Wednesday Children\u2019s Day, Thursday Elder\u2019s Day, Friday Veteran\u2019s Day, and Saturday was Community Day. Different activities play out each day.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nHighlights of the fair are traditional Cherokee food served at the food booths (one of my favorites is bean bread); the Exhibit Hall with the arts and crafts of the various townships; archery exhibitions for youth and adults; and blowgun demonstrations.\r\n

<\/P>

<\/ins>