Tennessee Republican lawmakers partake in annual Blessing of the Buffalo
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Visitors take pictures of the buffalo during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
By Sam Still 6 min read
GEORGETOWN, Tennessee — On the outskirts of Hamilton County, where dense woods give way to open fields, the buffalo roam and lawmakers greet the public.
On Saturday afternoon, the Vital Buffalo Farm hosted its 16th annual Blessing of the Buffalo, a public event to celebrate conservation and Cherokee culture. In one of the open fields of the farm, hundreds of people had the opportunity to see exhibitions of Cherokee culture through music, dance and prayer. Inflatables, a petting zoo and several merchant and nonprofit vendors added to the festivities.
“We’ve had buffalo for almost 20 years, and people always want to come and see them,” Vital Buffalo Farm owner and state Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, said in an interview, explaining the history of the event. “And, we do allow visits throughout the year, but we thought we would create a celebration in the fall where we could invite the public in.”
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Members of “Rattlesnake Mountain” play a ceremonial drum during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Congressman John Rose talks with visitors during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Visitors watch as the buffalo walk around their pasture during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Buffalo eat food near the viewing area during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Greg Vital talks with visitors during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at his buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Members of “Rattlesnake Mountain” play a ceremonial drum during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Visitors take pictures of the buffalo during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Visitors take pictures of the buffalo during the Blessing of the Buffalo celebration at Greg Vital’s buffalo farm on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Staff photo by Sam Still / U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, speaks to an event attendee. The annual Blessing of the Buffalo took place Oct. 18 at the Vital Buffalo Farm in Georgetown.Staff photo by Sam Still / U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., speaks to the crowd. The annual Blessing of the Buffalo took place Oct. 18 at the Vital Buffalo Farm in Georgetown.Staff photo by Sam Still / From left, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., HappiNest Raptor Rescue Executive Director Alix Parks and State Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, prepare to release a rehabilitated juvenile female red-tailed hawk. The annual Blessing of the Buffalo took place Oct. 18 at Vital’s buffalo farm in Georgetown.Staff photo by Sam Still / Cherokee and volunteers from the crowd participate in a social dance. The annual Blessing of the Buffalo took place Oct. 18 at Vital’s buffalo farm in Georgetown.
