-- Cherokee Bonfire (May 10 - Sept. 1, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays): Draw close to the fire at dusk, roast marshmallows, and wrap your family in an evening of drama, suspense, beauty and wisdom as Cherokee storytellers weave their ancient stories against the summer's night sky at the Cherokee Bonfire. Located at Oconaluftee Islands Park, storytellers in their traditional regalia will spin tales about the water beetle, fire, marriage and more.

-- Cherokee Gourd Artists Gathering (June 1-2): Featuring exquisitely crafted gourd art, this year's Cherokee Gourd Artists Gathering brings together collectors and exhibiting artists for a weekend of live demonstrations, classes, competitions and a spectacular art market offering stunning works of gourd art, materials, tools and supplies. Come see how an inexpensive, traditionally utilitarian component of the Cherokee household is transformed into a piece of artwork! Admission is free, and more information is available at www.gourdgathering.net.

-- "Cruise the Smokies" - Spring Cherokee Rod Run (June 8-10): Hundreds of pre-1985 classic cars and PT Cruisers and thousands of car enthusiasts and custom parts vendors turn out for the Southeast's premier car show, the Spring Cherokee Rod Run at the Acquoni Expo Center on Acquoni Road. Participants in this late-spring tradition compete for cash prizes, feast on local BBQ and cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway and country roads surrounding Cherokee, N.C. Gates are open Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-noon. Spectator admission is $5 each day of the event and free for children 6 and younger. Registration is $35 at the event.

-- 37th Annual Cherokee Powwow (June 29 - July 1): Join us at the Acquoni Expo Center for a three-day explosion of dance competitions! This annual event will give summer some wow with Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Hundreds of Native American dancers compete in colorful traditional regalia as drummers keep the beat and sing traditional songs. It's fireworks on the ground!

-- 8th Annual Festival of Native Peoples (July 13-14): Indigenous peoples and tribes from all over the Americas gather in Cherokee in a cultural outbreak of song, dance and ceremony. Past festivals have drawn participants from the Alutiiq of Alaska, the Hopi of Arizona, the White Mountain Apache, the Inca Son Band from Peru, the Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai of Hawaii, and the Totonac Flyers of Mexico, who dance on a 100-foot-high pole. Visiting indigenous peoples and tribes are hosted by the Cherokee of North Carolina.

-- Talking Trees Children's Trout Derby (Aug. 6): The free eighth annual derby will be held at the Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee. The all-day event entertains thousands of children annually. Activities include fly-tying exhibitions, fish-cleaning stations, wildlife and fisheries exhibits, food, music and door prizes. Trophies are awarded.

-- Volkswagen Show (Aug. 11): Beetles or bugs, striped, polka dotted. Come see all the different ways people have customized their favorite vans, sedans, Beetles and convertibles. This is one bugged out Volkswagen car show complete with cash prizes and best-of-show awards. Registration is $10. Admission is $5. It's located at the Acquoni Expo Center, and registration is Friday 1pm-7 pm. Gates are open Saturday 10am-6 pm.

-- Open Air Indian Art Market (Sept. 1): A not-to-miss colorful daylong event where visitors can witness bead making, basket weaving, sculpture and woodworking by Cherokee artisans practicing hundreds-of-years-old art techniques. And collectors can take a piece of the fine art home. It's held on the grounds of Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, Inc.

-- Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts Celebration (Sept. 14-15): The seventh annual Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts celebration will bring together master dancers, craftspeople, artists and athletes from the five main Southeastern tribes: Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Seminole and Choctaw. This educational and entertaining event teaches and perpetuates the history and culture of these tribes through live demonstrations of traditional tribal dances, storytelling performances, craft demonstrations, a primitive skills encampment and juried competitions. It's held at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds at 441 S/545 Tsali Boulevard next to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

-- 100th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair (Oct. 2-6): A Centennial Bow-Out! A combined carnival, art exhibit and agriculture show, the 99th annual fair features artwork, traditional Cherokee food, nightly entertainment, rides and games. Visitors will find Cherokee white oak baskets, pottery and beadwork, and they'll marvel at the traditional Cherokee contests and competitions like Cherokee stickball games. Visitors can take in the gorgeous fall foliage that engulfs the Great Smoky Mountains this time of year. It's held at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds on Hwy. 441. It opens at 10 a.m. daily with nightly shows. Admission and entertainment are FREE for all ages.

-- Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall (Oct. 4-8): Memorializing the men and women who fought and died in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a place of healing for those affected by one of the most divisive wars in our nation's history. There are more than 50,000 names on the Wall, including two members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who were killed in action. Sponsored by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143, the Wall will be on display at the Acquoni Expo Center for four days this Fall.

-- Myths and Legends Tour (Oct. 24-30): All-aboard the ride that mixes modern tales of the supernatural and ancient stories as Cherokee serves up the Myths and Legends Tour. The tour guide riding along with guests to various stops throughout the Qualla Boundary will share his vast knowledge of the unexplained happenings and time-honored stories of spirits of ancient Appalachian lore. From funny to fright-full, this tour is designed to chill and thrill! Two tours each night beginning at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

-- Haunted Indian Village (Oct. 26-31): The Oconaluftee Indian Village is transformed for a week of fright and fun as zombies, ghosts and goblins visit Native America via the Qualla Boundary. Bring your family for a scare at the Haunted Indian Village. Evenings beginning at 7 p.m., and guests are invited…if they dare…to walk the haunted trail. After a thrilling exploration of the mysteries and tricks that await you on the trail, the survivors will be treated to Cherokee storytellers sharing actually Cherokee legends as everyone gathers around the bonfire.

-- Halloween Parade (Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.): A ghoulishly good time awaits as Cherokee kicks off the Haunted Village week with a parade of characters from your nightmares. The scariest creatures of the season will crawl, slither and limp down Cherokee's main street and Tsali Boulevard. Spooky floats, creepy costumes and hair-raising bands will be a scream! The parade starts at 6 p.m.

-- "Cruise the Smokies" - 13th annual Fall Cherokee Rod Run (Nov. 2-4): Hundreds of pre-1985 classic cars and thousands of car enthusiasts and custom parts vendors turn out for the Southeast's premier car show, the Fall Cherokee Rod Run at the Acquoni Expo Center. Participants in this fall tradition compete for cash prizes, feast on local BBQ and cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway and country roads surrounding Cherokee, N.C. It's held at the Acquoni Expo Center on Acquoni Road. Gates are open 9am-5pm Friday and Saturday, 9am-noon Sunday. Spectator admission is $5 each day of the event and free for children 6 and younger. Registration is $35 at the event.

About Cherokee

Explore trails of legends and adventure wrapped in authentic Cherokee culture brought to life in the stories, history, traditions, songs, dances, ceremonies and fascinating period dress of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee offers activities, packages and itineraries that make visiting an affordable pleasure for all ages and interests. Visit the new Oconaluftee Visitor's Center. Enjoy cultural festivals and attractions, bonfires, camping, tubing, hiking, wading, biking, birding, waterfalls, water mills, a pioneer village, art galleries and shops, hotels and motor lodges, family fun parks, petting zoos, more than 30 miles of untamed trout waters, and Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel.

(Image provided by Indian Country Today Media Network.)

Looking for more happenings in the area? Check out asheville.com's comprehensive visitor center.