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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is seeking entries for its 53rd Cherokee National Holiday Parade.

“We are looking to draw more interest from communities,” said Kristie Girdner parade coordinator. “We realize that this is the beginning of the school year, a holiday, and not an ideal time to get students to participate, but we would like to have any community groups, churches, businesses, 4-H groups, Girls and Boys Clubs, etc. We would like to see even more community involvement this year, since we are promoting communities.”

The parade is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, September 3, 2005. Cherokee Nation employee groups and the public are invited to participate in the parade with floats, vehicles, and marching band units. Entries should emphasize the 2005 Holiday theme “Celebrating the Great State of Sequoyah,” promoting communities, language and culture.

The Cherokee Nation will award first, second and third place trophies to winning floats and vehicles in the business, church, and civic organization categories. The “Ga Du Gi” trophy will be awarded to the Cherokee Nation employee group with the best entry. Judges will select the winners in each category.

The parade check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Brigids Catholic Church, located at the corner of Crafton and Oklahoma Streets. The parade route will begin at Grand Avenue and Crafton Street, just north of Northeastern State University Student Union Center, and will precede south on Muskogee Avenue, ending at Choctaw and Muskogee Avenue. For more information or to obtain an entry form, please contact Kristie Girdner, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2482) or Landra Alberty 918-456-0671 (ext.2763).

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