Music
Red Fern Festival
Apr 24, 2026
– Apr 25, 2026
· 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
About This Event
Wilson Rawls’ beloved novel Where the Red Fern Grows is set in the Ozark hills surrounding Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The story follows an adventurous young boy who diligently saves his money to travel to Tahlequah to purchase two Redbone Coonhounds. The novel’s deep ties to the area made it the perfect location for its film adaptations—first in 1974, featuring many local residents, and again in 2003, both shot in and around Tahlequah. It’s only fitting that the town celebrates this legacy with the annual Red Fern Festival.Spanning seven blocks, the festival boasts over 150 arts and crafts vendors and an array of gourmet food trucks. Activities cater to all ages, from inflatables, petting zoos, and children’s games to live music that entertains both the young and young at heart. Festival highlights include the Miss Red Fern Pageant, the ever-popular rubber duck race down Town Branch Creek, and the thrilling Hound Dog Field Trials, where coon hunters put their dogs to the test.
The Red Fern Festival has grown not only in size but in spirit. What began as a modest gathering of fewer than 1,000 attendees has flourished into a beloved tradition, drawing an estimated 30,000+ visitors from across the United States each year.
https://www.facebook.com/RedFernFestival
Original posting
Red Fern Festival Music Showcase Time: 10:00 AM Location: Little Ann Stage, Cherokee County The Fiddle Contest is BACK, now Bigger and Better! This year, we’re expanding into the 2026 Red Fern Festival Music Showcase sponsored by M&M Rentals and Septic , featuring the return of the Fiddle Contest PLUS a brand new Instrumental Acoustic Contest and Student Performances by Zomac School of Music ! We’re excited to highlight incredible musical talent from across Cherokee County for an amazing showcase. Both contests and student performances will take place on the Little Ann Stage, proudly sponsored by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism and Cherokee Nation Entertainment. Contest Categories Fiddle Contest – for fiddle players only Instrumental Acoustic Contest – guitars, vocals, wind instruments, banjos & more (no fiddles) Contest Divisions Youth Division – under 12 years old Open Division – all ages Only 10 competitors per division – spots fill fast! Contest Registration Details Registration is Free and available on a first come, first served basis. You can register here: www.bit.ly/RF26MUSIC. Registration is open until filled or 10AM Day of Show. Event Schedule Student Performances - 10-12PM Fiddle Contest – 12PM Instrumental Acoustic Contest – 1:30 PM Contest Awards Cash prizes for 1st & 2nd place in the Open Division (each contest) Winners will receive checks by mail after the event. We can’t wait to hear you perform at this year’s Red Fern Music Showcase!