Red Fern Festival

Red Fern Festival April 23 - 24 in Tahlequah
By Oklahoma Tourism Staff
The award-winning Red Fern Festival is April 23-24 at Norris Park in downtown Tahlequah. What began as a small idea has grown into an event that that is firmly planted in Tahlequah soil.
In its first year in 2007, the Red Fern Festival achieved a Merit Award for Outstanding New Event in the state from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. In its second year, the Red Fern Festival took the coveted RedBud Award for Outstanding New Event in the state.

“We are proud that our event went from an intangible thing that had yet to materialize to where it is now,” said Kate Kelly, tourism director with the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce. “We should all be proud that one of our native sons authored ‘Where the Red Fern Grows.’”

Book author Wilson Rawls grew up in the Tahlequah area where the story is set. Many may not realize the impact this story has had, and continues to have. The book is in the curriculum of at least fifty percent of schools in the United States, and its popularity does not seem to be waning. The Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Council receives letters and phone calls from students and teachers, asking about Tahlequah because the story intrigues them and they want to learn more. They become captivated by the story, and touched by the magic, and want to make contact with someone who lives in the place where one of their favorite tales is set.

Inquiries regarding “Where the Red Fern Grows” are not limited to students and teachers. Many of the people who call and write read the story as a young person and make a visit to Tahlequah specifically because of the connection they have with this story. There are so many universal aspects of the story that there is something for almost everyone. The book has it all – drama, comedy, tragedy, triumph, evocative descriptions of our terrain, suspense, history. And, above all else, this is the story about the love of a boy and his two dogs.

Tahlequah’s Red Fern Festival will have some of the best components of the story. One of the highlights promises to be the Hound Dog Field Trials. Held throughout the Red Fern Festival, expect to be amazed and delighted by the dexterity and intelligence of these working hounds as they follow scents. Children’s activities will abound and will run the gamut from old- fashioned 1930s-era games to modern art activities to catching crawdads. The sweet smell of smoke will waft over town during the Red Fern Chili Cook-Off and Barbeque Extravaganza. Ferns will be on sale as well as a variety of arts and crafts, and crafts demonstrations. The Red Fern Parade will wend its way north on Muskogee Avenue to Norris Park. Bands will play bluegrass, rock and country music all day Saturday. All events will be centered at Norris Park, except for the 5Cs Car show which will be around Cherokee Square.

“The Red Fern Festival has captured the imagination of many. We want to warmly welcome our visitors to this event, but we also want to demonstrate our ability to honor our collective past while looking forward,” said Kelly.

For more information, please call the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Council at 918/456-3742, or visit www.redfernfestival.com.
TLM