The Qualla Country Trout Tournament

This five-day event will offer participants the opportunity to study the spirituality of the Cherokee people with Native American presenters. The myths, ceremonies, history, art, and food will slowly reveal the depth of Cherokee spiritual growth. The times of prayer and theological reflection will integrate the learning with the participants’ own life experiences. 

Online registration is available at http://www.ccappal.org until Feb. 15, 2019. The event fees are $200.00 for commuters, $400.00 for shared rooms, and $600.00 for a private room. Cost includes five-night lodging for out of town participants, all activities, and some meals. Daily activity times vary with most occuring between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For 2019, Cherokee's fishing season “opening day” will be March 30, and we are offering you 20,000 reasons to get excited about it. Our Opening Day Fishing Tournament requires just an $11 entry fee to compete for $20,000 in tagged fish. You’ll be competing in the rivers on the Qualla Boundary (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters). Tagged fish will be specially stocked for this event, and when you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes ranging from $25 to $5,000 at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office located at 5175 Sequoyah Trail of Hwy 441. Register anywhere fishing licenses are sold. Fishing will start one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sunset each day. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Prize redemption will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each tournament day. 

Parents and children are welcome to come and enjoy fun, food, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free to the public.

Enjoy a vintage car show at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds featuring hundreds of restored and enhanced vintage cars. Chat with their owners to get each car’s unique history, enjoy pristine paint jobs, and have your fill of polished chrome. This show will have food, memorabilia, and automobile parts vendors and will be hosted with music by a professional DJ for lots of old-fashioned fun. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 10 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the event. 

Enjoy a vintage car show at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds featuring hundreds of restored and enhanced vintage cars. Chat with their owners to get each car’s unique history, enjoy pristine paint jobs, and have your fill of polished chrome. This show will have food, memorabilia, and automobile parts vendors and will be hosted with music by a professional DJ for lots of old-fashioned fun. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 10 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the event. 

Ready for your next big adventure? If you think life is simply better on two wheels, join us this spring for an exciting weekend of mountain bike racing at Fire Mountain Trails. Cross-country racing for all levels of experience will take place on Saturday and enduro-racing happens on Sunday. With prizes, vendors, and food trucks, its bound to be a stellar weekend on the trails.

Registration
Online registration is open now and closes on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 9:00 p.m.
On-site registration will be open on the dates and times shown in the schedule below.

Limits
There is a limit of 120 participants in the Enduro races on Sunday.

Schedule
Friday, April 26
All Day Enduro and Cross Country practice – Courses will be marked
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Packet Pickup/Late Registration at TBD

Saturday, April 27
7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Course open for practice
7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Packet Pickup/Late Registration at the Cherokee Fair Grounds

Cross Country Racing
10:00 a.m. Beginner & Junior Categories (male and female)
12:30 p.m. Expert Category (male and female)
12:35 p.m. Sport, Single Speed Category (male and female)

Sunday, April 28
8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Course open for practice
8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Packet Pickup/Late Registration at the Cherokee Fair Grounds

Enduro Racing
9:15 a.m. Rider meeting at trail head
9:30 a.m. Expert (male and female) Race Start – All racers up Uktena
9:45 a.m. Sport (male and female) Race Start – All racers up Uktena
10:00 a.m. Beginner & Sport (male and female) Start – All racers up Uktena
12:35 p.m. Sport and Single Speed Categories (male and female)

Entry Fees
Enduro
Now – April 25, 2019: $60 – All Categories
On-Site $75 – All Categories

Cross Country
Now – April 25, 2019: $30 – Beginner, Sport, Single Speed & Expert Categories
On-Site $45 – Beginner, Sport, Single Speed & Expert Categories
August 1 – Race Day: $10 – Junior (17 & Under)

Dante’s Double (Both Days)
Now – April 25, 2019: $85 – All Categories
On-Site $100 – All Categories

Courses
The Cross Country races will start at the Cherokee Fairgrounds and begin with a climb on pavement to the trail head. The Enduro races will start near the trail head in the upper parking lot of the Oconoluftee Village.

Cross Country
Beginner & Junior – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9 miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 3 laps of the beginner loop (2.3 miles each lap with 312 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644901. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 8.7 miles with 1261 ft elevation gain.

Sport, Single Speed – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 2 laps of the Sport/Expert loop (4.75 miles each lap with 650 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644917. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 11.3 miles with 1625 ft of elevation gain.

Expert – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 3 laps of the Sport/Expert loop (4.75miles each lap with 650 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644917. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 16.05 miles with 2275 ft of elevation gain.

Enduro
Up Uktena Trail then down Spearfinger Trail (Stage 1) – 2 miles with 630ft of elevation loss: (https://www.strava.com/segments/17644957)

Up Uktena Trail then down Kessel Run-Upper Half (Stage 2) – 1.4 miles with 486ft of elevation loss: (https://www.strava.com/segments/17644988)

Up Uktena Trail then down Kessel Run-Lower Half (Stage 3)

Down Kate’s Wave (Stage 4)

Spend the long weekend with the boys: rainbow, brook, golden, and brown. Your $11 entry fee lets you compete for $10,000 in tagged fish within the beautiful freestone streams of Cherokee, NC; only the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters are excluded. Tagged fish will be specially stocked for this event, and when you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes ranging from $25 to $5,000 at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office located at 5175 Sequoyah Trail of Hwy 441. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Register for this tournament anywhere fishing permits are sold in and around Cherokee or online at FishCherokee.com. Prize redemption will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each tournament day. 

The Cherokee Gourd Artists’ Gathering presents the opportunity for gourd artists from across the United States and Canada to meet for one weekend a year to exchange ideas and collaborate on gourd art. Classes provided at this event include wood burning, carving, painting and sculpting, and range from beginner to advanced levels. Other activities include silent auction, live auction, and raffles throughout the event. The Gourd Artists’ Gathering is free to the public. Class sizes and fees vary; classes often fill up quickly.

Come on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday to see our wonderful displays of finished gourds for raffle, auction, and theme contest. On Sunday, there will still be plenty of opportunities to shop, but our large displays will be dismantled as the display gourds will have been given to the various activity winners.

The Cherokee Gourd Artists’ Gathering presents the opportunity for gourd artists from across the United States and Canada to meet for one weekend a year to exchange ideas and collaborate on gourd art. Classes provided at this event include wood burning, carving, painting and sculpting, and range from beginner to advanced levels. Other activities include silent auction, live auction, and raffles throughout the event. The Gourd Artists’ Gathering is free to the public. Class sizes and fees vary; classes often fill up quickly.

Come on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday to see our wonderful displays of finished gourds for raffle, auction, and theme contest. On Sunday, there will still be plenty of opportunities to shop, but our large displays will be dismantled as the display gourds will have been given to the various activity winners.

The Cherokee Summer Carnival presents family-friendly fun with a variety of vendors, food, games, karaoke, and literally dozens of carnival rides. The gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The carnival is a summer celebration you won't want to miss. Entrance is free to the public.

Ride ticket prices: 
$20 - Unlimited rides
$3–$5 - Individually purchased rides
$1–$3 - Games

The voices of an 11,000-year-old culture are inviting you to come out and play. Cherokee culture speaks in its most thrilling ways through dance, music, storytelling, and arts and crafts. You’re invited to hear and experience it all during the Cherokee Voices Festival, now in its 21st year. It’s free of charge and held at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Museum.

At our Powwow, not all the "Oooohs" and "Aahhhs" are for the fireworks.

In honor of Tim Hill, a longtime employee at our very own trout hatchery who sadly passed away far too soon, we’re inviting you to fish and compete in this fun and lucrative tournament in his name. You’ll be fishing for your share of $10,000 by catching beautiful fish in rivers all across the Qualla Boundary (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters), which will be stocked with tagged fish. Tagged fish will be specially stocked for this event, and when you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes ranging from $25 to $5,000 at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office located at 5175 Sequoyah Trail of Hwy 441. Register anywhere fishing licenses are sold. Fishing will start one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sunset each day. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Prize redemption will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each tournament day. 

Sponsored by the North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA), this event features fresh berries, delicious recipes, blueberry products, and fun activities for the whole family. Admission is free to the public. 

Entertainment/Event Schedule:
9 a.m.
Opening ceremony
Concession stand opens
Adult and youth baking competition
Children’s activities

2 p.m.
Prizes awarded          

Introduce your kids to a love of fishing at this free two-day event. On Friday, dive into excitement at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds for entertainment, attractions, and free fishing gear for eligible participants (children ages 3 to 11). Arrive at Oconaluftee Islands Park on Saturday, for hours of fishing fun with prizes, face painting, balloon animals, and more. Entry is free and includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Introduce your kids to a love of fishing at this free two-day event. On Friday, dive into excitement at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds for entertainment, attractions, and free fishing gear for eligible participants (children ages 3 to 11). Arrive at Oconaluftee Islands Park on Saturday, for hours of fishing fun with prizes, face painting, balloon animals, and more. Entry is free and includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Where our family traditions become your family heirlooms: the Open Air Indian Art Market showcases traditional, handmade Cherokee arts and crafts. Come to shop for authentic and unique gifts but stay for the music, food, storytelling, and craft demonstrations. This outdoor event is held in the Cultural District of Cherokee at Qualla Arts and Crafts. Music provided by the Sound of Music. A traditional Cherokee meal will be available for purchase for $10 per person by the North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA). General admission is free to the public.

It’s not too late to take home the summer’s biggest trout. And biggest purse. Your $11 entry fee lets you compete for your share of $20,000 in the pristine, freestone streams of Cherokee (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters). For those unfamiliar with tagged tourneys, you’ll discover the waters stocked with fish tagged with different colors. Tagged fish will be specially stocked for this event, and when you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes ranging from $25 to $5,000 at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office located at 5175 Sequoyah Trail of Hwy 441. Register to anywhere fishing licenses are sold. Fishing will start a one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sunset each day. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Prize redemption will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day. 

The Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon is back! Join us for the return of this great fall race in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. This event is famous for its generous swag package, picturesque courses, local culture, and amazing post-race meals. Register online now for the 5K or the half-marathon.

Half Marathon Entry Fees:
February 15-May 31: $55
June 1-August 31: $60
September 1-September 14: $65

5K Entry Fees:
February 15-May 31: $30
June 1-August 31: $35
September 1-September 14: $40

Entertainment and Event Schedule
Friday, September 13
​4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.     Packet Pickup/Late Registration at the Cherokee Fairgrounds

Saturday, September 14
5:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.     Packet Pickup/Late Registration at the Cherokee Fairgrounds
7:30 a.m.    Half Marathon Starts
7:45 a.m.     5K Starts 

Enjoy a vintage car show at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds featuring hundreds of restored and enhanced vintage cars. Chat with their owners to get each car’s unique history, enjoy pristine paint jobs, and have your fill of polished chrome. This show will have food, memorabilia, and automobile parts vendors and will be hosted with music by a professional DJ for lots of old-fashioned fun. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 10 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the event. 

Enjoy a vintage car show at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds featuring hundreds of restored and enhanced vintage cars. Chat with their owners to get each car’s unique history, enjoy pristine paint jobs, and have your fill of polished chrome. This show will have food, memorabilia, and automobile parts vendors and will be hosted with music by a professional DJ for lots of old-fashioned fun. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 10 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the event. 

Are you and your best fly-fishing buddy ready to rumble with the top anglers around? Then get your $250 entry fee together for this two-person team competition held exclusively in the catch-and-release section of Cherokee’s “trophy waters” known simply as Raven Fork. This tournament offers a payout* totaling $10,000 for the top teams. To enter this tournament you must first acquire a Cherokee fishing permit (a list of permit-selling locations may be found at FishCherokee.com), then register for the event at River's Edge Outfitter. Additional event details will be discussed on November 1 at 7 p.m. during the opening meeting. Open to all ages. 

*Payout subject to change.