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"L-R: Junior Marriott of Ava, MO., Michael Thompson of Rose, OK, and Monte Gaylord of Oologah, OK., perform at the 2008 Cherokee National Holiday fiddlers contest." TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - It’s time to rosin up your bow and get ready for this year’s Cherokee Nation Holiday fiddlers contest. Held in conjunction with the 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday, the contest will start Saturday, September 5, at 1p.m., at the Talking Leaves Job Corps gymnasium located at 5700 Bald Hill Rd. “All fiddlers are welcome, young and old,” said Jerry Bigfeather, event coordinator. “Admission is free, it’s cool inside, and you can sit down and be entertained by some of the best fiddling music to be heard in Northeastern Oklahoma. Wi tse do lv i (Ya’ll come).” The contest is divided up into four different categories, the Juniors’ division for ages 17 and under, the Old Timers’ division for ages 65 and over, and the Open and No Holds Barred divisions, which are both open for all ages. There will be an entry fee of $5 per contestant for each division. All participants have up until the day of the event to enter the competition. A total of over $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of each division and door prize drawings will be going on throughout the day. For additional information please contact Jerry Bigfeather, phone: 918-453-5123 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 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 E-loh-i nu-s-di-da-nv de-ga-de-la-qua-s-ge-s-di (“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 Annual 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.

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