Sycamore Shoals State Park: Cherokee Heritage Day

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is planning the second annual Cherokee Heritage Day for Saturday,
August 27, 2022. Sycamore Shoals, forever linked with the rich traditions and influence of the Cherokee
people, will offer a day devoted to sharing Cherokee history and culture through traditional arts and
historic presentations.

New to this year’s event will be Cherokee elder Fred Bradley, retired from the National Park Service,
who will be giving a very informative and entertaining talk on mushrooms. Also new this year will be a
panel discussion delving into contemporary Cherokee life.

Guests will also enjoy seeing the Tsalagi Dancers present traditional Cherokee dances, learn some words
and phrases in the Cherokee language, and test their knowledge of Cherokee history and culture in a
game show atmosphere.

Jarrett Grey Wildcatt will be sharing the beauty of the Cherokee flute, and many highly talented
craftspeople will be demonstrating their skills. Guests will be able to watch and learn as wood carving,
beadwork, finger weaving, pottery and many other works of art are created on site. These rare and
beautiful pieces of handmade, traditional arts and crafts will be available for purchase.

Activities for children, including making jewelry, grinding corn, and using a pump drill, will also be
featured.

There will be a minimal fee for admission of $8 for adults; $3 for Ages 7 to 17; and 6 and under are
admitted Free. Friends of Sycamore Shoals will have concessions and drinks available throughout the
day.

This educational and colorful family event is presented by Indian Creek Productions, Inc., a non-profit
organization that promotes American Indian education. Sponsors include Friends of Sycamore Shoals
and the Hampton Inn of Johnson City.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

2ndAnnual Cherokee Annual Cherokee Annual Cherokee Heritag Heritag Heritage Day
-Admission is $ -Admission is $ Admission is $8.00 per adult .00 per adult .00 per adult;$3.00 ages 7–17; Free 17; Free 17; Free -6 and under 6 and under 6 and under

Schedule of Events Schedule of Events
Saturday, August Saturday, August 27 10 am –5pm

10:00 am – 10:30 am The Cherokee at Fort Watauga The Cherokee at Fort Watauga
Chad Bogart
10:30 am – 11:00 am Cherokee CherokeeFlute
Jarrett Grey Wildcatt
11:00 am – 11:30 am Cherokee CherokeeStorytelling Storytelling Storytelling
Jonathan Feather
11:30 am – 12:00 pm Cherokee Language Cherokee Language kee Language Lesson
Jarrett Grey Wildcatt
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm “Are you Smarter than a “Are you Smarter than a Are you Smarter than aPark Ranger Park Ranger Park Ranger”
Mark and Sherry Finchum
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm “Traditional Cherokee Dance Demonstra “Traditional Cherokee Dance Demonstra Traditional Cherokee Dance Demonstrations
Tsalagi Dancers
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Cherokee History and Cul Cherokee History and Culture
Shennelle Feather
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Cherokee Flute
Jarrett Grey Wildcatt
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Cherokee Storytelling Cherokee Storytelling
Jonathan Feather
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Cherokee Language Cherokee Language LanguageLesson
Jarrett Grey Wildcatt
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Traditional Cherokee Dance Demonstrations Demonstrations emonstrations
Tsalagi Dancers
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm The Language of Mushroom The Language of Mushrooms(auditor (auditor (auditorium)
Fred Bradley
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm Contemporary Cherokee Contemporary Cherokee ary Cherokee Life(auditor (auditor (auditorium)
Panel discussion

Presented by Indian Creek Productions, Inc.

The interior of the Visitor Center is hosting a variety of excellent demonstrations of contemporary
Cherokee crafts. Sharon McCoy will demonstrate beadwork; Ray McCoy will be doing woodcarving, and
Toni Tahquette will be demonstrating finger weaving.

Outside the Visitor Center, we are hosting a variety of Cherokee craftsmen demonstrating traditional arts.
Make sure to visit inside the fort to see Ramona Lossie as she is creating beautiful baskets, Bradley
Welch as she explains the art of traditional pottery making, and Jimmy Harlan as he makes weapons. He
will be demonstrating the use of a blowgun too.

Under the trees will be Ernest Grant demonstrating wampum jewelry and bandolier bag making, Stephan
Walkingstick doing stone carving and making arrowheads, Jonathan Feather will have his collection of
Cherokee crafts and Allen Fugate will be doing silversmithing.

Also located outside is a circa 1828 Cherokee campsite featuring a wedge tent for sleeping and a lean-to
kitchen area complete with period travel kitchen with wrought iron fire utensils and dining items. Visitors
can experience campfire cooking and learn more about this significant period in Cherokee history.
All proceeds from admissions go to Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park to support this event.
This event is made possible through the support of the Hampton Inn, Johnson City, TN and Friends of
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.