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Tahlequah, OK - The Cherokee Nation is looking for people who have a hunger for great Native American cooking and an appetite for winning. The Traditional Indian Food Cook-Off in conjunction with the 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday will be held Saturday, September 5, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be held west of the Cherokee Nation W.W. Keeler tribal complex on Highway 62 south. The contest is limited to 10 teams consisting of four team members. Each member of the team must have a current food handler’s card. A copy of all cards must be sent with the registration form. Cash prizes will be awarded for first through fourth place, and the fifth place team will receive a jacket for each team member. Team members must be at least 18 years of age. The deadline to enter the competition is Friday, August 13, by 5 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to cheer on their favorite team of cooks and enjoy the meal after the judging is completed. The public may purchase a plate of food for $6 on a first come, first served basis for as long as the food lasts. Menu for the contest will be hog meat, pinto beans, fry bread, a vegetable dish and dumplings. The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world. This year’s theme is E-loh-i nu-s-di-da-nv de-ga-de-la-qua-s-ge-s-di (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event. For more information about the Cherokee National Holiday, please call 918-453-5536 or visit http://holiday.cherokee.org. For more information about the cook-off or to enter, please contact Pam Bakke, event coordinator, phone: 918-453-5347.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org