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"Dan Mink, left, and Dennis Sixkiller, right, announce the 2008 Cherokee National Holiday parade line up in the Cherokee language as the entries make their way past the courthouse square on Muskogee Ave. in Tahlequah." TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - It’s time get creative and celebrate Cherokee history by entering the annual Cherokee National Holiday parade, to be held on Saturday, September 5, at 9:30 a.m., in downtown Tahlequah. The lineup will begin on Crafton Street at 7:30 a.m., the day of the event. Check-in will be held in front of St. Brigid’s Catholic Church at 807 E. Crafton. “The parade is going to be great this year; we already have entries coming in! I encourage everyone to come to downtown Tahlequah for the Cherokee National parade,” said Debra Lack, event coordinator. As an added interest, the Cherokee National Holiday parade is announced in both English and the Cherokee language as the entries pass through downtown Tahlequah. Categories for this year’s parade include: float, vehicle, marching band/other marching unit, business/church/civic organization and Cherokee Nation employee entry. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place in each category and an award of Best Overall will be given out as well. The deadline to register is Monday, August 31 by 5 p.m. There is no cost to enter and entry forms may be downloaded from the Cherokee National Holiday web site. The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world. This year’s theme is elohi nusdidanv degadelaquasgesdi (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event. For more information about the Cherokee National Holiday, please call 918-453-5536 or visit http://holiday.cherokee.org. For more information or to enter the parade, please contact Debra Lack phone: 918-453-5555

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