1 Pager settings

• About
• Schedule
• Vendors
• Shopping Days
• Car Show
• Hound Dogs
• Hound Dogs
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name
• Section name

2020 Red Fern Festival

​Postponed to October 16th and 17th, 2020

About the Festival 

​Let the adventure begin! According to legend, an angel has to plant the seed of the red fern, and so wherever there is a red fern, it marks something very admirable and special. Many folks that make Tahlequah and Northeast Oklahoma their home feel a special connection to the area. Whether it's been touched by angels, divine intervention, or it's part of God's plan, whatever it is, there is something special about Tahlequah. 

So when people ask, why is it called the Red Fern Festival? The answer is, it is a celebration of life in a special place that has a unique spirit like none other. 

Tahlequah, Indian Territory was established as the Cherokee capital in 1839 after the end of the Trail of Tears. In 1843 the town was surveyed and the first main street in what would later become Oklahoma was realized. 

When visiting Tahlequah we hope you take your time, stroll down the first main street in Oklahoma. Visit Lake Tenkiller and the Illinois River, they will be waking up after a long winter's rest. Let it sink in and you too may feel the spirit of the Red Fern. 

Want to support the Red Fern Festival through volunteering? Volunteer opportunities will be posted soon, please check back and use the link below to sign-up!

Register to volunteer

2020 Schedule

2020 Festival Hours:
Friday: Noon- 9 pm
​Saturday: 9 am- 8 pm

​October 16 - Friday

12:00 PM - Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors - Downtown
4:00 PM - Kids Zone - Norris Park
6:00 PM - Live Music- Oklahoma Moon- Norris Park Pavilion
7:30 PM - Live Music- Ragland - Norris Park Pavilion
7:00 PM - Coon Hunt - 520 N. 520 Rd (Look for signs)

​October 17 - Saturday
​
9:00 AM - Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors- Downtown
9:00 AM - 5 c's car show - Cherokee Peace Pavilion (water street)
9:00 AM - Fly -In - Tahlequah Municipal Airport
10:00 AM - Traditional Native Games throughout the day from 10 PM-4 PM- Cherokee Square
10:00 AM - Movie "Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)" - Tahlequah Public Library (indoors)
10:00 AM - Hound Dog Field Trials - Sequoyah Park
10:00 AM - Kids Zone - Norris Park
10:00 AM - Little Miss Red Fern Pageant- Norris Park Pavilion
11:00 AM - Living Story Corner – Cherokee National History Museum Beth Herrington will read excerpts from the book and provide history of the local places mentioned in the book 
1:00 PM - Miss Red Fern Pageant - Norris Park Pavilion
2:00 PM - Movie "Where the Red Fern Grows" (1974) - Tahlequah Public Library (indoors) 
2:00 PM - Kids Make and Take Craft – Cherokee National History Museum 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday – craft and admission is free
4:00 PM - Rubber Duck Race- Sequoyah Park
5:00 PM - Live Music -Joe Mack & Friends - Norris Park Pavilion
6:30 PM - Live Music RC& The Ambers- Norris Park Pavilion

​All dates and times are subject to change - Additional Information will be added soon

Food Vendor and Arts/Crafts vendor registration Now open! 

Registration closes April 1st. 

VENDORS Registration Form

The maps below represents available vendor space, both food and retail. You can expand the map by clicking in the upper right-hand corner. To view the legend click in the upper left-hand corner. ​

Food Vendors

Food vendor registration form

This map marks food vendors locations. You can expand the map by clicking in the upper right-hand corner. To view the legend click in the upper left-hand corner. 

Miss Red Fern Pageant

Saturday, October 17th 2020 More Information coming soon!

Little Miss Red Fern Pageant 10 AM-11:30AM
Miss Red Fern Pageant 1 PM-2:30PM

Register Online Here.....SOON!

Coon Hunt and Field Trials

Coon Hunt - 
Presented by the Green Country Coon Hunters Association

6:00 PM - Hound dog Bench Show, entry fee $10.00  (is a show which requires dogs to be on display in an assigned location. The purpose is for spectators and breeders to have an opportunity to see all the entered dogs.)  

​8:00 PM - Night Hunt, entry fee $20.00

Location: North 520 Rd From east side of Tahlequah on the Bertha Parker by-pass 62, 82, 10 and 51 junction, go north 3.3 mi. on Hwy. 82 to log cabin store. Turn east, go 1/2 mi. Turn north, go 2/10 mi. Signs posted. - (See map)

Hound Dog Field Trials
The Hound Dog Field Trials will be held on Park Avenue right behind the Armory Municipal Center, at 201 E. Delaware Street.  Registration is at 10 am Saturday morning.
​
​
Contact: Robert Ryals Jr. 
​Phone: 918-822-8888

Car Show

5C's Car Show 
The 5C's Car Show is back again. Located at The Peace Pavilion in Downtown Tahlequah. Original and modified automobiles from decades past come together on April 26th for all to see. 
Show entries are judged by paid professionals chosen from area auto body shops and garages. Entries compete in 32 categories, including original and modified cars, original and modified trucks, Mustangs, Rat Rods, and muscle cars. Each category awards first and second prizes. 
The 5C's Car Show gives visitors and car enthusiasts the opportunity to visit with show participants.

If shiny chrome, boss paint jobs and the cherry rides are your thing, you won't want to miss Red Fern Festival's 5C's Cruisin' Classic Car Show.
​
"These folks put so much time and effort into their vehicles, and absolutely love to share that enthusiasm with others," said Jon Edwards, 5C's club president. 
Take a stroll back in time and revisit old memories at the 5C's Car Show.

Call Jon Edwards at 918-822-0074 or email at jonedwards@5ccarclub.com to register. 

---

Volunteer Opportunities

The Red Fern Festival is ran by volunteers and logs hundreds of volunteer hours throughout the weekend. There are many opportunities to be involved in this beloved community event. If you are interested in volunteering please click the registration button below. 

Red Fern Shopping Days
​

Downtown Tahlequah is home to a wide variety, from boutique shops to mom and pop shop's. There's a bike shop, barber shops, jewelry stores, a men's clothing store, western wear, boot repair, skateboards, Cherokee cultural destinations and museums, fine art galleries, a jazz lab and a playhouse,  acupuncture, bacon & eggs, burgers and steaks, coffee and tea, something healthy if you please, nutrition specialists, gaming gurus, boutiques, and wedding gowns and something for prom, a place to pawn, places to eat, places to drink and a place to buy things made in Tahlequah. All unique and different in their own special way. Most importantly they are all locally owned. 

Shop, Dine, and Experience beautiful historic downtown Tahlequah during Red Fern Shopping Days, you'll be glad you did!
​