By ROBERT JUMPER
ONE FEATHER EDITOR
The third Cherokee Indian Fair committee meeting was held on Monday, June 15. Those in attendance were Chris Watty, Mariah Mahan, Frieda Huskey, Lisa Frady, Angela Hull, Angela Hernandez, Josie Long, Warren Dupree and Joletta Crowe.
Discussion focused on coordination of labor for the event. With a limited pool of temporary workers, Events and Fairgrounds Supervisor Frieda Huskey stated that coordination of workers will be necessary to ensure that the event location job duties are prioritized first, then the remaining staff should organize the “temp workers” for day organizer needs. She also advised the day organizers to provide names and contact information for anyone who might be interested in working at this year’s Fair.
Huskey also communicated some deadlines for tentative day schedules and “proformas” (profit and loss documents detailing income and expenditures) for each day organizer. She also indicated that she needs prize money breakdowns for the games and other activities planned by the organizers. All monetary transactions between tribal personnel will be documented on a “chain of custody” form. All participants in competitions and activities at the fair will sign a liability release form. All winner of any monetary prizes will also fill out an IRS Form W-9.
Planning continues on Pretty Legs and Cherokee Idol. Chris Watty, the organizer for these activities, commented that materials and sign up forms will be available for Cherokee Idol within a few weeks.
Josie Long, parade day organizer, discussed preparation for grand marshals and continuing to work with the EBCI Agricultural Extension Office to identify artists and crafters to represent a collective body of Cherokee artisans on the grand marshal float.
Huskey advised that she is continuing to work on meetings with key participants, like the Miss Cherokee Pageant Committee and representatives from the stickball players. She stated that it is important to get their input as the schedules are firming up for the event. A stickball meeting, scheduled for after the Fair meeting, had to be postponed in observance of the passing of one of the players.
The Cherokee Indian Fair Committee invites anyone interested in helping with the planning process to attend their monthly meetings. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, July 20 at 5:30 pm.
The Cherokee Indian Fair will be held Oct. 6-10 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. The theme for this year’s fair is “Weaving Dreams and Traditions Into Our Future”.
Info: Frieda Huskey, Events and Fairgrounds supervisor, 359-6492 or friehusk@nc-cherokee.com
