Every Labor Day weekend, the Cherokee Nation commemorates the signing
of the Cherokee Nation Constitution of 1839. The annual event, called
Cherokee National Holiday, is a celebration of Cherokee heritage,
cultural awareness and reuniting of families.
Thousands of Cherokees and visitors from across the
United States and abroad make the pilgrimage to the historic Cherokee Nation
capital in Tahlequah.
The Cherokee Nation 3-day celebration is jam-packed
with activities for all ages from traditional games like cornstalk shoot and
blowgun competition to the more familiar golf and softball tournaments. Hundreds
of vendors and craftspeople set up booths where visitors may view and purchase
authentic Native American products and foods. Dancers from all over the United
States compete for prizes and honors.
Other local events include Victorian Valentine
Workshop, Public Bake Day & 19th Century Dance Workshop, Old Fort Days
Art/Heritage Festival, Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show, "RUN FOR ARTS" and many
more.
Fort Gibson Historic Site is the National
Historical Landmark Site of the first military post in Oklahoma. It was
headquarters of the Southwestern Frontier during the Trail of Tears.
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Fort Gibson National Cemetery, established in 1868,
was the first National cemetery in Oklahoma. It contains many of Oklahoma's
Civil War and Indian war dead.
Cherokee National Cemetery, another national
historic Landmark, was maintained by the Cherokee Nation from before the Civil
War until its transfer to the town of Fort Gibson in 1906.
Historic Garrett House Museum, built in 1870 as the
Fort's Commanding officer's residence, was purchased circa 1900 by Sid Garrett,
a prominent businessman and banker in Fort Gibson. This large gracious home was
renovated and restored by private owners from 1995-97.
With over 550 dealers in antiques and collectibles
Muskogee has become known among collectors as Oklahoma's "Antique Country."
Ataloa Lodge Museum houses one of the finest
privately owned collections of traditional and contemporary Native American art
in the entire nation. It currently holds over 20,000 priceless artifacts.
The Five Civilized Tribes Museum was arranged as a
tribute to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes. Many
cultural programs are hosted by the museum such as the Masters Art Show, Art
Under The Oaks, the Competitive Art Show, the Student Art Show, book signings
and tours.
Three Rivers Museum of Muskogee tells the story of
the settlement and development of the Three Rivers area of Oklahoma. It offers
rotating exhibits on the history of the region.
The Haunted Castle, an incredible
60-acre Halloween theme park, runs on weekends in October.
The U.S.S.
Batfish War Memorial Park Museum is one of Muskogee's unique
attractions. An actual World War II submarine, the Batfish sank 3
enemy submarines and 11 other enemy vessels.
The annual
Muskogee Air Show features a variety of military planes and civilian
performers. This air show brings thousands of spectators each year to
see parachuting, aerobatics, military and law enforcement air
displays, and many static displays for up-close viewing.
Muskogee's Azalea
Festival was named as one of the United States' "top 100 events" by
the National BLIS Association. Garden of Lights is a winter
wonderland. |
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