Keetoowah Celebration

18263 W. Keetoowah Circle Tahlequah, OK 74464

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians invites its members and the public to join us at the 69th Annual Keetoowah Celebration to be held
Oct. 4 - 5. The event is held every year during the first weekend in October, honoring October 3, 1950, when the United Keetoowah Band officially voted to have its constitution and by-laws ratified.

Scroll down to see a full list of events and be sure to check this page frequently for updates. Wado!

2019 Calendar of Events

18263 W. Keetoowah Circle Tahlequah, OK 74464
All events are subject to programming and/or weather changes.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

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Chief’s Dinner (invitation only)

5:30 p.m. Elder Center
    UKB Chief Joe Bunch will host an invitation only dinner for various dignitaries and UKB partners. The event is meant to promote our strengthen our relationships with those in the community.

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Stomp Dance
7 p.m. - 10p.m. Keetoowah Stomp Grounds    

   The 69th Annual Celebration public festivities begin with our annual Stomp Dance hosted by Echota Stomp Grounds at the Keetoowah Stomp Grounds near the UKB Wellness Center. Keetoowahs are traditionally a stomp dance culture and dance to cleanse their bodies and practice good medicine. This event will be more of a social event giving the public, our tribal members and the invited ceremonial grounds an opportunity to come together for an evening of cultural fellowship. Dancing will begin at 7 p.m. and go to 10 p.m. A free chili dinner at the stomp grounds will be provided prior to the event at 6:30 p.m. while food lasts.

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Softball Tournament

7 p.m. - October 4-6 Sequoyah Ball Fields

    This year’s softball tournament will have men and women’s divisions, as well as a 7-3 coed slowpitch division. The tournament is a 15-man roster. Prizes for 1st place are hoodies, 2nd place receives longsleeve t-shirts and 3rd place receives t-shirts. Entry fee is $150. Deadline to enter is 9/27 at 9 p.m. Questions can be directed to Jeff Wacoche at 918-822-2191 or by email to jwacoche@ukb- nsn.gov. Money is due at time of entry. Cash or money order can be mailed to P.O. Box 746 Tahlequah, OK 74465. Please address to UKB Tribal Council, Attn: Jeff Wacoche.

 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

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Children’s Fishing Derby
8:30 a.m. - Keetoowah Pond
    The Children’s Fishing Derby will be for children ages 14 and  under. It is a bring your own fishing pole event and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. 

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Official Welcome 
9:30 a.m. Pavilion
    An official welcome to the celebration activities will be given by M.C. Ronnie Livers. During the introduction John Hair Cultural Center and Museum Director Ernestine Berry will also give a presentation the history of the Keetoowah people and the significance of Celebration itself. 

Food and Vendors
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Please refer to map for designated areas.
    Various vendors selling their wares and food will be on hand for the duration of the day. Please stop in to see them and maybe find something new!

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Gospel Singing 
10 a.m. Pavilion
    Songs of Praise will provide live entertainment with an array of religious songs for Celebration goers.

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Tournament Registration 
10 a.m. Celebration opening
    Registration will take place near the opening of the grounds for the volleyball and horseshoe tournaments. Volleyball registration is $70 per team, with 12 teams maximum and a 10-person roster. Winner takes half the pot. Horseshoe registration for singles is $5, while teams are $10. Winners will take half the pot.

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Tournaments begin 
11 a.m. Designated areas
    Both the volleyball and horseshoe tournaments will start at 11 a.m. Please refer to the map.

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Cornstalk Shoot *tentative
11 a.m. Please refer to map.
    The cornstalk shoot is a traditional game once played between Keetoowah hunters and warriors to improve bow and arrow accuracy when hunting. To protect their arrows, Keetoowahs would shoot their arrows into bales of dried cornstalk. Come give your hand a try!

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HLDCDC Children’s Activities
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. CDC
    The Henry Lee Doublehead Child Development Center will offer children a variety of activities throughout the day including turtle races, face painting and bouncy houses. Food will also be provided.

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State of the Band
12 p.m. Pavilion
    An official welcome to the celebration activities will be given by former Miss Keetoowah and M.C. Victoria Proctor. UKB Chief Joe Bunch will also give his annual address about the state of the Keetoowah band and thank our partners for their sponsorship. The theme of “Keetoowah Together” will also be discussed. 

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Free Feed
1 p.m. Pavilion
    The UKB employees and volunteers will come together at 1 p.m. to help distribute the free feed. The meal will consist of a plate of hog meat, fry bread, potatoes and beans.

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Stickball Exhibition
2 p.m. UKB Stickball field
    Stickball is known amongst Keetoowahs as “the little brother of war.” Played in ancient times and carried on into today, the game of stickball was used once to settle disputes. This event will feature red and black teams, with the host team being the Nighthawks.

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Social Stickball
3 p.m. UKB Stickball Field
    This social stickball game provides anyone 
interested the opportunity to take the field in a more relaxed setting where players will use sticks to hit a fish located on top of a pole. Women are allowed to use their hands. Players do play at their own risk and some sticks will be provided.

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Full Blood Entertainment
5 p.m. Pavilion
    Our partner Full Blood Entertainment will be bringing with them a variety of live acts for Celebration including Rod Robertson and Mike Bone.

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50 & Over Legends Game

7 p.m. - Sequoyah Ball Fields

      As part of this year’s softball tournament, a Legends Game will be held for those 50 and older. There is no entry fee, though those wishing to participate must submit their name to the player’s list by contacting Jeff Wacoche at 918-822-2191 or email jwacoche@ukb-nsn.gov.

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