TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation will host its 2024 annual Traditional Native Games competition beginning Saturday, April 13 at the Cherokee Nation’s One Fire Field in Tahlequah.
Competitions will include a horseshoes, marbles and blowgun which will start at 10 a.m., with the stickball shootout at 11 a.m. and cornstalk shoot, hatchet-throwing and chunkey at noon.
Registration will be held 30 minutes before each of the games. Competitors in the hatchet throw, stickball shootout, and cornstalk shoot must bring their own sporting materials for the games.
“My coordinators and I are ready for the games to be back this year across the Cherokee Nation Reservation,” said Cherokee Nation Community Tourism Manager Crystal Walters. “We have been planning for the 72nd Cherokee National Holiday for several weeks with an emphasis on the 2024 games.”
The Traditional Game locations also include the Sequoyah’s Cabin Museum on Saturday, May 18, as well as the Vinita Health Center on Saturday, June 8; the Saline Courthouse Museum on Saturday, July 13, and the community games finals at the Cherokee Nation One Fire Field in Tahlequah on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The top three placers at each location will receive a t-shirt and an invitation to compete in the Traditional Native Games Championship. Those top three placers at the championship will receive a cash award. All games are open to the public and are at no cost to the players or audience.
For more information or to contact a coordinator:
- Cornstalk shoot: Christopher Coursey, 918-822-3433
- Chunkey: Melissa Dew, 918-871-0319
- Stickball shootout: Joshua Mouse, 214-799-5343
- Horseshoes: Brooklynn Colburn, 918-525-2259
- Blowgun: Perry Van Buskirk, 918-931-4868
- Marbles: Jared Davis, 918-871-9478
- Hatchet throw: Jesse Grayson, 918-718-4596
For general information follow Cherokee National Holiday on Facebook or visit www.thecherokeeholiday.com