IF YOU GOWhat: 29th annual Cherokee Days of Recognition.When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.Where: Red Clay State Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road, Cleveland, Tenn.Admission: Free but $5 donation requested.Phone: 423-478-0339.Website: www.tn.gov/environment/parks/RedClay.DIRECTIONSFrom I-75, follow East Brainerd Road east for 8 miles, crossing Ooltewah-Ringgold Road and continuing toward Apison. Turn right onto London Lane. After 2.3 miles, continue straight onto Keith Road for a half-mile before turning left onto Mount Vernon Road. Drive 4 miles, turn left onto Old Apison Pike, travel 7 miles, then left onto Red Clay Park Road.
A celebration of Cherokee heritage is planned for Saturday and Sunday at Red Clay State Park in Cleveland, Tenn.
Cherokee Days of Recognition began as a small event organized by Richard Crowe, according to park records. Its purpose was to celebrate Cherokee heritage and share it with anyone who wished to come and learn more.
The event has grown over two decades to draw 20 craft and food vendors, living historians and Cherokee performers along with a couple thousand visitors.
Red Clay was selected as the location because of its significance in Cherokee history. The grounds were the site of 11 of the final 12 Cherokee Council meetings before the Trail of Tears, according to park records.