Oklahoma City KEY - Cover Story

A grand parade, unlike any other parade in the world, opens 20th Anniversary celebration of the Red Earth Festival in downtown Oklahoma City. The annual summer celebration of Native American cultures and traditions is expected to attract nearly 1,500 artists and dancers from throughout North America during the three-day event scheduled June 2-4 at the Cox Convention Center.

The Red Earth Festival begins with the annual parade beginning at 10:30 am Friday, June 2 at the Cox Center. The streets of downtown Oklahoma City will vibrate in Indian tribal spirit as representatives of more than 100 tribes, in full tribal regalia, make the Red Earth Parade one of America’s most unique parades. Following the parade, the Art Market opens at 11 am inside the Cox Center exhibition halls and the first Grand Entry of dance competitors begins at noon inside the arena.

The Red Earth 5k Run and 2k Fun Walk, scheduled Saturday, June 3 at 8 am, are open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Registration begins at 7 am at the park located just south of Bass Pro Shops in Bricktown.

The juried art competition and dance competition at Red Earth has established Oklahoma City as a Native American art and cultural center, rivaling other southwestern cities as a showcase of Indian art. The varied activities and events scheduled throughout the three-day weekend provide a mix of entertaining and educational presentations including food booths, hands-on children’s activities, storytelling, and music.

During the Festival guests can view and purchase art from nearly 300 of the nation’s most celebrated artists and vendors with opportunities to purchase contemporary and traditional examples of beadwork, basketry, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, paintings, graphics and cultural attire. The art market is open Friday and Saturday - 11-8 pm, and Sunday 11-5 pm.

Daily Grand Entries of dancers scheduled Friday and Saturday at noon and 7 pm and Sunday at noon provide is one of the rare occasions when dancers from America’s northern and southern tribes can be seen together in one venue. Red Earth dancers are the elite of Native American dance, the most gifted and accomplished in the world. The masters, each in their own distinctive tribal dress, will exhibit their originality and skills in one of the most prestigious of all native dance competitions.

Red Earth is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote and preserve the rich traditions of American Indian history, art and culture. The organization operates the Red Earth Museum located inside Maniple at 2100 NE 52nd Street in Oklahoma City. Tickets to the 20th Annual Red Earth Festival can be purchased Convention Center Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more info. call (405) 427-5228 or visit www.redearth.org.

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