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2018 Red Fern Festival

​"Always the Last Weekend in April"

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. 

2018 Schedule

April 23 - 28
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM - Red Fern Downtown Shopping Days
April 23 - Monday
5:00 PM - Food Trucks - Norris Park
6:30 PM - Music in the Park, Four F's (Farinelli, Fitzgerald & Fite)
April 24 - Tuesday
5:00 PM - Food Trucks - Norris Park
6:30 PM - Music in the Park, Tahlequah Middle School Choir,
April 25 - Wednesday
5:00 PM - Food Trucks - Norris Park
6:30 PM - Music in the Park, Mike Herndon Band, 
April 26 - Thursday
7:30 AM - Plein Air Red Fern - Locations TBA 
5:00 PM - Food Trucks - Norris Park
6:30 PM - Music in the Park, Tahlequah High School Choir, Lou Kelly Productions presents Sarah Hobbs 
April 27 - Friday
7:30 AM - Plein Air Red Fern - Locations TBA 
8:00 AM - Vintage Plane Fly-In, Military, Police and Fire Static Display - Tahlequah Airport
12:00 PM - Downtown Arts, Crafts and Exhibits 
4:00 PM - Kids Zone - Norris Park
7:00 PM - Coon Hunt - see map, redfernfestival.com  
8:00 PM - Movie (Where the Red Fern Grows) and Food Trucks - Norris Park
April 28 - Saturday
7:30 AM - Plein Air Red Fern - Locations TBA
8:00 AM - Farmers Market - Morgan Street Pavilion
8:00 AM - Vintage Plane Fly-In, Military, Police and Fire Static Display, - Tahlequah Airport
9:00 AM - Car Show - Downtown Tahlequah
​9:00 AM - Downtown Arts, Crafts and Exhibits
10:00 AM - Hound Dog Field Trials - Sequoyah Park
10:00 AM - Kids Zone - Norris Park
10:00 AM - String Instrument Contest - NSU Jazz Lab & Norris Park
11:00 AM - Kiwanis BBQ & Chili Cook-off - Location TBA
11:00 AM - Art in the Square - Cherokee Capitol Square
4:30 PM - Concert in the Park - Norris Park
All dates and times are subject to change

Exhibitors

Exhibitor Registration Form

Several changes have been made to improve the 2018 Red Fern Festival. Due to growth and challenges presented in hosting a festival in a thriving commercial district the decision has been made to expand. Exhibitor booths will remain downtown on Muskogee Ave. However, other activities such as  The Red Fern Vintage Fly-In, an Antique Tractor Show, a Military, Fire and Police static display at the Tahlequah Airport. 

Food Vendors

Food vendor registration form

Terms & Conditions
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This map marks food vendors locations and event 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. 

Definitions: 
FULL MENU: You sell a selection of items, one of which includes a protein.
SELECT MENU: You sell one or two non-protein items. (ex. snowcones, root beer, kettle corn)
GOURMET FOOD: offering gourmet cuisine and a variety of specialties and ethnic food.

​Option A (Downtown): SOLD OUT 

• Full Menu Vendor,
• includes electric,
• located on Morgan Street
• Friday Noon to 6 PM and Saturday 9 am - 6 pm.
• Price $500

Option B (Downtown): 

• Select Menu Vendor,
• includes electric,
• located corner of Shawnee & Muskogee Ave.
• Friday Noon to 6 PM and Saturday 9 am - 6 pm.
• Price $250

Option C (Airport): 

• Full Menu Vendors,
• no utilities included,
• located at the Tahlequah Airport,
• Saturday 9 am - 6 pm. Price $200

Option D (Downtown Gourmet):

• Gourmet Food Vendors,
• no utilities included,
• location Downtown,
• dates and times vary

Option E (Downtown)

• Full Menu Vendor,
• includes electric,
• location Muskogee Ave.
• Friday Noon - 6:00 PM and Saturday 9 am - 6 pm.
• Price $350

Non-Profits

This is a great way for Tahlequah non-profits to get in front of the public and share your mission. There are no fees for federally recognized non-profits. Use the form below to submit your application. All applications are reviewed every Tuesday by the Red Fern Vendor Committee. You will be notified via email after the committee has reviewed your application.

Non-Profit Application

Music in the Park
Norris Park @ The Gazebo
Monday, April 23, 2018
   6:30 PM - Elementary Choir
​Tuesday, April 24, 2018
   6:30 PM - Middle School Choir
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
   6:30 PM - Mike Herndon Band
Thursday, April 26, 2018
   6:30 PM - Tahlequah High School Choir w/ Sarah Hobbs presented by Lou Kelly Productions

Lakes Country Music Stage in Norris Park
Saturday, April 28, 2018
​   4:30 PM - Falling Rocks
   5:30 PM - Mandophonics
   6:30 PM - Olen Davis and The Travelers
   8:00 PM - Byron Berline Band 

BYRON BERLINE is a three-time National Fiddle Champion who turned to a musical career after earning a B. A. in Physical Education at the University of Oklahoma. Originally from Oklahoma where he began playing the fiddle at age 5, Byron lived and worked in Los Angeles for 26 years before returning to his home state in 1995.

​Byron's professional career reads like Who's Who
in the music business as he has performed with or recorded with so many notables. He has led or been a member of the following bands : Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, 1966 - 67; Dillard & Clark, 1969-1970; Dillard Expedition, 1970-71; Country Gazette, 1971-75; Sundance, 1975-85; Berline, Crary & Hickman, 1978-90; L. A. Fiddle Band, 1978-93; California, 1990-96; Byron Berline Band, 1996- Present

Byron is one of the most sought after session fiddlers and his long list of recording credits are proof; The Band / The Byrds / The Eagles / The Rolling Stones / Manhattan Transfer / Bob Dylan / John Denver / Elton John / Olivia Newton-John / Burt Reynolds / Linda Ronstadt / Rod Stewart / Kay Starr / Hoyt Axton / Alabama / Susie Bogus / Mary Chapin Carpenter / Joe Diffy / Vince Gill / Arlo Guthrie / Mickey Gilley / Emmylou Harris / Kirs Kirstofferson / Johnny Lee / Willie Nelson / Red Stegall / Doug Stone / Tammy Wynette / Jethro Burns / The Dillards / John Hartford / Bill Monroe / Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / Don Reno / Earl Scruggs / Mason Williams and numerous symphony orchestras.

​Byron has extensive movie and commercial sound track credits including work with Henry Mancini, Jerry Fielding, Johnny Williams and Lalo Schifrin. Byron scored his first major motion picture in 1975, STAY HUNGRY for director Bob Raphelson. He has appeared in STAR TREK, BLAXE, BACK TO THE FUTURE III and BASIC INSTINCT. He has been interviewed by major city newspapers and music magazines throughout the world, and has toured the United States extensively, Europe often, China, Japan, Australia, Northern Africa and the South Pacific. In his spare time Byron enjoys producing albums for his friends and himself.

Byron was inducted into Oklahoma's Musicians Hall of Fame, named Oklahoma's Ambassador of Goodwill, been featured artist at the international convention of the Violin Society of America, and conceived and planned the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival since it's beginnings in 1997.

Byron Berline has been touted as "one of the most inventive fiddlers ever ...". His skill, versatility and artistry continue to be recognized by his peers, the press and audiences world-wide. He is a witty, charming personality and his music is evidence of that.

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Red Fern Shopping Days

Downtown Tahlequah is home to wide variety of mom and pop shop's. Felts Family Shoe Store has been in business downtown for 79 years. Not far behind is Morgan's Bakery, they opened their doors in 1948. There's a bike shop, barber shops, brewing and grilling supplies, jewelry stores, a men's clothing store, western wear, boot repair, skateboards, fine art galleries, a jazz lab and a playhouse, cookware and 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 and Dine in beautiful historic downtown Tahlequah during Red Fern Shopping Days, you'll be glad you did.

Car Show

5C's Car Show 
The 5C's Car Show is back again with a brand new location. The new location is New Life Church. The new location is exclusive to the car show which means better access, more cars, plenty of parking. Original and modified au­tomobiles from decades past come together on April 28th for all to see. 
Show ent1;1-es 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, sC's club president. 
Take a stroll back in time and revisit old memories at the 5C's Car Show.

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Car Show Registration
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Coon Hunt and Field Trials

Coon Hunt - Friday April 27, 2018
Presented by the Green Country Coon Hunters Association

6:00 PM - Bench Show, entry fee $10.00
8:00 PM - Nite Hunt, entry fee $18.00

Location: 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