Principal Chief Michell Hicks serves ramp dinners to EBCI tribal elders during a past Rainbows and Ramps Day. (One Feather photo)
Mountain trout and wild ramps take center stage at the annual Rainbow and Ramps festival on Sat., March 30, from 10am – 2:30pm at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the public is invited to celebrate a time-honored Cherokee tradition that rejoices in spring’s arrival and with it, the season’s first green – the ramp.
A unique cultural experience, the one-day festival serves up a delicious feast of succulent trout, fried potatoes, corn bread and of course ramps! It also commemorates the opening of trout season on the Qualla Boundary. Fishing permits are required and are available at local outfitters in Cherokee. Tickets to the event are $10, and they are available at the fairground gates. In addition to the feast of trout, ramps, and other vegetables, hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available for purchase.
Event Schedule
9 a.m. Door Open
Invocation
Post Colors – Cherokee JROTC, Steve Youngdeer Post 143
Breakfast Trays (Sausage Biscuits, Coffee)
Opening Remarks: Executive Office
9:20 a.m. Yellow Hill Choir
9:45 a.m. Antioch Singers
10:20 a.m. J Creek Cloggers
11 a.m. Blessing & Lunch for Elders
11 a.m. Lunch Music by The Ross Brothers
12 p.m. Meals for Sale
12 50 p.m. J Creek Cloggers
1:10 p.m. Warriors of Ani Kituwah
1:40 p.m. Bingo
2:30 p.m. Close
