Red Fern Festival
The Red Fern Festival has been canceled amid COVID-19 spike.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Based on current data and the strain that continued outbreaks would cause Cherokee County and other health facilities, the Tahlequah Main Street Association chose to be proactive and cancel this year’s Red Fern Festival.
The choice was not taken lightly or quickly, TMSA officials said. It was a decision made with input from local elected officials, medical professionals as well as partners throughout this community regarding current trends of the virus and its variants.
“The latest reports from local, state and national medical professionals show a continued upward trend in positive COVID-19 tests as well as hospitalizations. We have zero interest in putting this community, our festival goers or vendors at risk,” said Jamie Hale, TMSA director. “The health of our community is top priority, as I am sure it is for everyone in Tahlequah. We thought it was in the best interest of everyone that we cancel.”
TMSA officials are prepared and already have a headstart on Red Fern Festival 2022, which is slated to be held the last weekend in April as usual. Due to COVID-19, those dates have changed over the last two seasons.
“We are hopeful that with increased vaccinations throughout the nation that we will find our way through this pandemic,” Hale said. “We want everyone to be safe and healthy and look forward to having Red Fern in the spring.”
We will be contacting each vendor personally by phone this week to discuss the details moving forward, Hale added.
“Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to take these proactive measures. For questions or more information regarding the Red Fern Festival or TMSA, call 918-931-1699,” she said.
The choice was not taken lightly or quickly, TMSA officials said. It was a decision made with input from local elected officials, medical professionals as well as partners throughout this community regarding current trends of the virus and its variants.
“The latest reports from local, state and national medical professionals show a continued upward trend in positive COVID-19 tests as well as hospitalizations. We have zero interest in putting this community, our festival goers or vendors at risk,” said Jamie Hale, TMSA director. “The health of our community is top priority, as I am sure it is for everyone in Tahlequah. We thought it was in the best interest of everyone that we cancel.”
TMSA officials are prepared and already have a headstart on Red Fern Festival 2022, which is slated to be held the last weekend in April as usual. Due to COVID-19, those dates have changed over the last two seasons.
“We are hopeful that with increased vaccinations throughout the nation that we will find our way through this pandemic,” Hale said. “We want everyone to be safe and healthy and look forward to having Red Fern in the spring.”
We will be contacting each vendor personally by phone this week to discuss the details moving forward, Hale added.
“Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to take these proactive measures. For questions or more information regarding the Red Fern Festival or TMSA, call 918-931-1699,” she said.
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About
Wilson Rawls novel “Where the Red Fern Grows” was set in the Ozark hills in and around Tahlequah Oklahoma. The novel tells the tale of an adventurous young boy who saves his money to travel to Tahlequah, Oklahoma to purchase two red-bone hound hunting dogs. The first film was made in 1974 and featured many locals from the Tahlequah community and surrounding areas and was remade in 2003, both filmed in and around the Tahlequah area. It’s only fitting that Tahlequah host the Red Fern Festival.
The festival spans seven blocks and hosts over 150 arts and crafts vendors and gourmet food trucks. There are many activities for all ages. The inflatables, petting zoos and kids games naturally attract kids, while the showcase of live music attracts the young and the young at heart. There is an annual Miss Red Fern Pageant that’s a hit with festival-goers and the rubber duck race through the Town Branch Creek is always a must. Coon Hunters come out to compete in the Hound Dog Field Trials to find out who’s top dog.
The Red Fern festival continues to grow each year both in size and in heart. What once started as an event of under 1,000 attendees has grown to an estimated 15,000+ attendees with people coming from all over the United States.
The festival spans seven blocks and hosts over 150 arts and crafts vendors and gourmet food trucks. There are many activities for all ages. The inflatables, petting zoos and kids games naturally attract kids, while the showcase of live music attracts the young and the young at heart. There is an annual Miss Red Fern Pageant that’s a hit with festival-goers and the rubber duck race through the Town Branch Creek is always a must. Coon Hunters come out to compete in the Hound Dog Field Trials to find out who’s top dog.
The Red Fern festival continues to grow each year both in size and in heart. What once started as an event of under 1,000 attendees has grown to an estimated 15,000+ attendees with people coming from all over the United States.
2021 Schedule
Red Fern 2021 September 10th and 11th
Friday, September 10th
12:00 PM - Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors - Downtown
12:00PM - Live Music- Small Stage
4:00 PM - Kids Zone - Norris Park
5:00 PM - Live Music-Hannah and the Postman
6:00 PM - Live Music- Cam Cox Band
7:00 PM - Coon Hunt - 520 N. 520 Rd (Look for signs)
Dark- Screening Movie (1974) - Where the Red Fern Grows - Norris Park
Saturday, September 11th
9:00 AM - Downtown Arts, Crafts and Food Vendors
9:00 AM - Touch the truck (First responders)
10:00 AM - Movie Screening (2003) - Tahlequah City Library
10:00 AM - Little Miss/ Miss Red Fern Pageant- Main Stage
10:00 AM - 9/11 Memorial Presentation- Small stage
10:00 AM - Hound Dog field trials - Sequoyah Park
10:00 AM - Kid Zone- Norris Park
10:00 AM -
11:00 AM - Live Music - Small Stage
1:00 PM -
2:00 PM - Movie Screening (1974) - Tahlequah City Library
2:00 PM -
4:00 PM - Rubber Duck Race - Sequoyah Park
5:00 PM - Live Music- Maddie K - Main Stage
6:00 PM - Live Music- Ragland - Main Stage
7:15 PM - Live Music -Oklahoma Moon
All dates and times are subject to change - Additional Information will be added soon
Friday, September 10th
12:00 PM - Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors - Downtown
12:00PM - Live Music- Small Stage
4:00 PM - Kids Zone - Norris Park
5:00 PM - Live Music-Hannah and the Postman
6:00 PM - Live Music- Cam Cox Band
7:00 PM - Coon Hunt - 520 N. 520 Rd (Look for signs)
Dark- Screening Movie (1974) - Where the Red Fern Grows - Norris Park
Saturday, September 11th
9:00 AM - Downtown Arts, Crafts and Food Vendors
9:00 AM - Touch the truck (First responders)
10:00 AM - Movie Screening (2003) - Tahlequah City Library
10:00 AM - Little Miss/ Miss Red Fern Pageant- Main Stage
10:00 AM - 9/11 Memorial Presentation- Small stage
10:00 AM - Hound Dog field trials - Sequoyah Park
10:00 AM - Kid Zone- Norris Park
10:00 AM -
11:00 AM - Live Music - Small Stage
1:00 PM -
2:00 PM - Movie Screening (1974) - Tahlequah City Library
2:00 PM -
4:00 PM - Rubber Duck Race - Sequoyah Park
5:00 PM - Live Music- Maddie K - Main Stage
6:00 PM - Live Music- Ragland - Main Stage
7:15 PM - Live Music -Oklahoma Moon
All dates and times are subject to change - Additional Information will be added soon
Volunteers needed!
Be a part of Tahlequah's favorite event of the year!
Would you like to serve your community? Do you need community service hours?
Do you have a business looking to get involved in the community?
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.
Tahlequah Main Street Association is looking for volunteers in the following categories:
Set- Up/Break down
Registration
Fundraising
Photography
Wayfinding
and many more...
Let your skills serve the Tahlequah community.
Sign up today
Would you like to serve your community? Do you need community service hours?
Do you have a business looking to get involved in the community?
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.
Tahlequah Main Street Association is looking for volunteers in the following categories:
Set- Up/Break down
Registration
Fundraising
Photography
Wayfinding
and many more...
Let your skills serve the Tahlequah community.
Sign up today
Vendor Information
Arts & Crafts Vendors
Vendor Registration is now open following the vendor form below.
The maps below represents 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
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.
Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors
Nearly 100 Arts, Crafts and Food Vendors join the festival each year!
Miss Red Fern Pageant
September 11th, 2021, 10 am -2 pm Norris Park Pavilion Tahlequah, OK
Hosted by the Tahlequah Main Street Association
Director, Kristy Eubanks: createhopeok@outlook.com 918-344-9332
Newborn-36 Months- MISS RED FERN BABY
3-4 Years Old - MISS RED FERN TINY
5-7 Years Old - MISS RED FERN MINI
8-10 Years Old - MISS RED FERN LITTLE
11-13 Years Old - MISS RED FERN SWEETHEART
14-18 Years Old - MISS RED FERN
Child must compete at age on day of the pageant. Child must be resident of Cherokee County. Entry fee $40 per participant. Registration Deadline September 3, 2021. Registration for groups Newborn-7 years begins at 9:00am. Show begins at 10:00. Registration for groups 8 years-18 years begins at 11:00. Show begins at 12:00.
DRESS OF CHOICE. ONSTAGE CHAT: AGE APPROPRIATE.
Please fill out a NEW registration for for each participant. ALL FEES DUE BY SEPTEMBER 3RD.
Hosted by the Tahlequah Main Street Association
Director, Kristy Eubanks: createhopeok@outlook.com 918-344-9332
Newborn-36 Months- MISS RED FERN BABY
3-4 Years Old - MISS RED FERN TINY
5-7 Years Old - MISS RED FERN MINI
8-10 Years Old - MISS RED FERN LITTLE
11-13 Years Old - MISS RED FERN SWEETHEART
14-18 Years Old - MISS RED FERN
Child must compete at age on day of the pageant. Child must be resident of Cherokee County. Entry fee $40 per participant. Registration Deadline September 3, 2021. Registration for groups Newborn-7 years begins at 9:00am. Show begins at 10:00. Registration for groups 8 years-18 years begins at 11:00. Show begins at 12:00.
DRESS OF CHOICE. ONSTAGE CHAT: AGE APPROPRIATE.
Please fill out a NEW registration for for each participant. ALL FEES DUE BY SEPTEMBER 3RD.
Coon Hunt and Field Trials
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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 |
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Touch the Truck!
Join in on the fun and visit with Local Heroes!
Take tours of helicopters, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and more!
Take tours of helicopters, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and more!
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