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The blowgun competition at the 48th Cherokee National Holiday.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Organizers expect more than 50,000 people to attend the 49th Cherokee National Holiday this weekend in Tahlequah.

The theme for this year’s Holiday is "Celebrating the Seven Clans." The Cherokee National Holiday marks the anniversary of the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, soon after the Cherokees’ forced removal to Indian Territory from their homelands in the southeastern United States.

This year’s Cherokee National Holiday features more than thirty events, beginning August 30 and running through September 2. The Miss Cherokee leadership competition is the featured event on August 30, beginning at 7:30 at the Ballroom in the Cherokee Nation annex.

The Holiday gets into full swing on Friday, August 31 with a stickball game beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a hog fry and the Gathering of the Grounds, a traditional stomp dance.

The Cherokee National Holiday parade is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 1, in downtown Tahlequah. Following the parade, Principal Chief Chad Smith will give the State of the Nation address at 11:30 a.m.

Other highlighted events for the Holiday include the Cherokee Holiday Run, a 5-kilometer competitive run and a 1-mile fun run, special receptions for original enrollees and veterans, arts and crafts, a traditional Cornstalk Shoot, fishing, golf and softball tournaments as well as several children’s activities.

For details on the full Holiday Schedule, go to the Cherokee Nation’s web site, or call 918-456-0671 (ext. 2544) or 1-800-850-0348( ext. 2544).