Red Earth Festival

A popular annual event in Oklahoma City for over 20 years, the Red Earth Festival is held in June, a Native American Cultural Festival that features American Indian dance, fine art, a 5k run, a parade and much more. Presented by OKC's Red Earth Museum, an institution that has been promoting "the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures" since 1978, the annual Red Earth Festival represents over 100 Indian nations, tribes and bands from across the country.

The 23rd Annual Red Earth Festival will be held from June 5-7. The parade gets things started on Friday morning, and the market opens at 11 a.m. Over 1,200 American Indian artists and dancers will be featured, and Jereldine Redcorn, a Caddo potter from Norman, is the 2009 Red Earth Honored One, an annual honor bestowed upon a master artist.

The Red Earth Festival will be held at the Cox Convention Center on Sheridan Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City between Robinson and E.K. Gaylord. Get a detailed map with driving directions.

Tickets for the Red Earth Festival are available for each single day and are $10 per adult, $7.50 for kids 6-17 and seniors. Kids under 6 are admitted free. They can be purchased online or by calling (800) 745-3000.

The Red Earth Festival opens each year with a Grand Parade on the streets of downtown Oklahoma City on Friday morning, beginning with the line-up at 9 a.m. and a 10:30 a.m. start. See the vibrant Native American spirit displayed as participants appear in full tribal regalia. The parade route travels up E.K. Gaylord, west on Sheridan, south down Hudson and back east along Reno.

There is a tremendous diversity in American Indian cultures across the United States, and that richness is displayed at the Red Earth Festival. Visitors can experience and purchase the work of hundreds of the nation's most talented and respected artists. Both contemporary and traditional pieces are represented in a number of artistic genres, including beadwork, basketry, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, paintings and more.

Largely considered one of more prestigious native dance exhibitions and certainly one of the more popular aspects of the event each year, the Red Earth Festival dance competition features performers from all over the United States gathered in their tribal dress and displaying their tremendous skill. 2009 dance schedule is as follows:

• Friday: 1-5 p.m. competition, 5-7 p.m Gourd Dance, 7-10 p.m. competition
• Saturday: 1-5 p.m. competition, 5-7 p.m Gourd Dance, 7-10 p.m. competition
• Sunday: 1-4 p.m. competition, 4-6 p.m awards presentation

The festival also includes the Red Earth Run, a 5k run and 2 mile fun walk, held at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at the Regatta Park trails along the Oklahoma River, beginning at the Chesapeake Boathouse. It is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities and often features over 300 participants. Registration, which includes a t-shirt and admission ticket to the festival, opens at 7 a.m. and is $25 for adults, $20 for students.

Traveling to Oklahoma City for the Red Earth Festival. Here are some hotel options nearby:

• Courtyard Downtown
  2 West Reno
  Within walking distance to the Cox Convention Center
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• Renaissance Hotel
  Ten North Broadway
  Within walking distance to the Cox Convention Center
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• Sheraton Hotel
  One North Broadway
  Within walking distance to the Cox Convention Center
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• The Skirvin Hotel
  One Park Avenue
  Less than 1 mile from the Cox Convention Center
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• Hampton Inn & Suites
  300 East Sheridan
  Less than 1 mile from the Cox Convention Center
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• Residence Inn
  400 East Reno Avenue
  Less than 1 mile from the Cox Convention Center
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