Rainbows & Ramps | Cherokee, NC

How will Cherokee affect you?

You are invited to

Rainbows & Ramps



Come celebrate the nearing of springtime, mark the beginning of fishing season, honor the elders and enjoy regional entertainment.

WHERE:
Birdtown Gym
1212 Birdtown Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
Get Directions

WHEN:
March 25, 2023
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
 


Rainbows & Ramps Schedule of Events

10:00 a.m.
Doors Open

10:30 a.m.
Invocation/Blessing/Chief & Vice Chief

10:45 a.m.
Wiregrass Band

11:00 a.m.
Serve Elder’s Lunch

12:00 p.m.
Dancing by J. Creek Cloggers

12:30 p.m.
Cherokee Museum Dancers

1:00 p.m.
Door Prizes Drawn

3:00 p.m.
Close

 

What are Ramps?

For the uninitiated, ramps are a type of wild onion, sometimes called “mountain leeks,“ and are one of the first green vegetables to appear in springtime in the Appalachian Mountains. Ramps are prized for their unique flavor, tasting like a mix between onion and garlic, and they’re only available for a few weeks each season, making them highly desirable to chefs and foodies across the country. As a green, ramps are delicate. Fresh, they only last a couple of days, although they can be pickled or frozen for longer enjoyment.

For the Rainbow and Ramps festival, local Cherokee members gather the wild ramps from their family ramp patches in locations that are kept secret. Carefully, they harvest the young tips, leaving the roots intact so that the plants continue to grow. For Cherokee, ramps are so much more than a gourmet onion–they are an important part of their history and culture. For over 12,000 years, Cherokee have ceremoniously gathered ramps each spring for eating and cooking, as well as for medicinal purposes due to their high levels of vitamin C and antibiotic properties.

 

Rainbows Stretching Over 30 Miles

While ramps are somewhat fleeting, rainbow trout courses through the rivers in and around Cherokee, and can be easily caught with a permit. Cherokee Fisheries and Wildlife Management stocks 30 miles of mountain streams twice weekly, and there are wild varieties in the mix as well. For anglers, the Rainbow and Ramps festival marks the official start of the fishing season, and a chance to compete for $20,000 in tagged fish in the Opening Day Fishing Competition.

Rainbows & Ramps

Saturday, March 30 from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm

Join the local Cherokee people as they celebrate two local favorites, rainbow trout and ramps

At this community festival, savor a "taste of Cherokee" plate with fresh ramps, locally caught trout, potatoes, slaw and cornbread, dessert, and drink!

Bring your whole family and enjoy some good bluegrass music from the Wiregrass band, great clogging from the famous J. Creek Cloggers who were featured on the Emmy Awards Show in 2022 and get a chance to win some great door prizes.


Fire Mountain Inferno

Saturday, May 4 from 7:30 am to Sunday, May 5 at 3:30 pm

Join us for 2 days of adrenaline-pumping action at the 2024 Fire Mountain Inferno mountain bike event!

Welcome to the Fire Mountain Inferno mountain bike event in Cherokee, North Carolina, recognized as the Best Mountain Bike Race in the annual Best of the Blue Ridge survey by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.   

Scheduled to take place from May 4th to May 5th, 2024, the Fire Mountain Inferno is poised to captivate riders and spectators alike with its breathtaking scenery and challenging terrain. Organized by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, this year's event will feature riders of all skill levels.

Divided into four categories – expert, sport, beginner, and junior – participants will tackle a variety of challenges, from thrilling descents to grueling cross-country routes, as they navigate the renowned Fire Mountain Trails. With the full support of the Eastern Band, attendees can anticipate an unparalleled experience celebrating the rich heritage and natural wonders of Cherokee.


7 Clans Rodeo

Saturday, August 31 to Sunday, September 1


Cherokee Indian Fair

Tuesday, October 1 to Saturday, October 5


Cherokee Fall Rod Run

Friday, October 11 to Saturday, October 12


Plan
Trip
+
Sample Trips