Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
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Tahlequah, Oklahoma – The month of June brings with it the lazy days of summer. Children are out of school for three months, and preparations for family vacations begin. The Cherokee Heritage Center, an ideal vacation destination for any family, offers two children’s festivals this summer designed to educate children in an entertaining and fascinating way.

Usdi Fest, sponsored by Tiger Natural Gas Corporation, will be held Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Heritage Center. This one-day festival will allow children the opportunity to experience Cherokee culture. Visitors of all ages will enjoy activities such as stickball games, blow gun shooting, food tasting, Cherokee marbles, arts and crafts, and much more. Cherokee stories will be told, and writing in the Cherokee syllabary, as well as speaking the language, will highlight the day.

Usdi (oo-sti) is the Cherokee word for little or baby, accordingly this festival will feature children’s activities, but all ages are sure to find valuable entertainment. Admission for this event is $1 per person. Regular Museum admission will be charged for those wishing to tour the Cherokee National Museum and Ancient Village.

In addition to the festival events, guests can visit the heritage center’s numerous attractions such as the Ancient Village, Adams Corner Rural Village, Heritage Farm and the Cherokee National Museum which features the Museum Shop, the Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale and the permanent Trail of Tears Exhibit.

The second Usdi Festival will be held July 10 and will feature the same activities as the first festival.

Usdi Fest gives parents the opportunity to entertain and educate their children without traveling far away. For more information, call the Cherokee Heritage Center, phone: 918-456-6007, call toll free: 888-999-6007, and visit the CHC web site.

Related 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