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David Standingwater and Jerry Bigfeather prepare for National Holiday fiddling contest.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Fiddle players rosin up their bow as they prepare to compete in the 52nd Cherokee National Holiday fiddle contest scheduled for Saturday, September 4.

Competition will kick off at 1p.m. and run until all contestants have performed and prizes have been awarded. Registration begins at noon at the contest site and closes promptly at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $5 and non-refundable. The contest is held west of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex, located 3.5 miles south of Tahlequah, Okla.

There are three categories to compete in. Junior division for ages 17 and under, open division for all ages, and the Cherokee division for Cherokees age 18 and over. Contestants must present a Certificate of Indian Blood (CDIB) card to compete in the Cherokee division.

Cash prizes will be awarded for first through third places in each division with an additional fourth place prize in the Junior division.

This year’s Cherokee National Holiday begins September 3 and runs through September 5. The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in commemoration of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 people from across the world.

For a full schedule visit the Cherokee National Holiday, on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, or call Louie Slagle, phone: 918-456-0671 or 800-256-0671 (ext.2544). For more information about the Fiddler’s contest, contact David Standingwater, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2857) or 918-822-2426.

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