When the Silver Anniversary Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival opens at the Cox Convention Center Friday, June 3, in downtown Oklahoma City, more than 1,200 American Indian artists and dancers from throughout North America will gather to celebrate the richness and diversity of their heritage with the world. For three exciting days, Oklahoma City will be at the center of Native American art and culture as more than 30,000 people gather to celebrate.
Through the years, Red Earth has matured into one of the most respected visual and performing arts event of its type - setting the standard for many of today's Indian art shows held throughout the nation. The Red Earth Festival was recently named one of the "10 Great Places to be Wowed by American Indian Culture" by USA Today. The Festival has also been named "Oklahoma's Outstanding Event" by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, a "Top 100 Event in North America" by the American Bus Association and Central Oklahoma's "Outstanding Cultural Tourism Event" by Frontier Country Marketing Association.
Guests at the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival can sample the work of some of the nation's most celebrated artists, with opportunities to purchase contemporary and traditional examples of beadwork, basketry, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, paintings, graphics and cultural attire during the juried art show and market. The dance competition at Red Earth 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 represent the elite of Native American dance, some of the most gifted and accomplished in the world," said Eric Oesch, deputy director and director of communications of Red Earth, Inc. "The masters, each in their own distinctive tribal dress, exhibit their originality and skills in one of the most prestigious of all native dance competitions."
A grand parade, unlike any other parade in the world, opens the 25th Annual Red Earth Festival on Friday morning. The streets of downtown Oklahoma City will vibrate in Native American tribal spirit as representatives of more than 100 tribes, in full tribal regalia, make the Red Earth Parade one of America's most unique.
The Red Earth Art Market opens Friday, June 3 at 11 a.m. and the first Grand Entry of dance competitors begins at noon inside the Cox Convention Center Arena. Grand Entries are scheduled to perform at noon and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. The Red Earth Run, a 5k and 10k run, scheduled at 8 a.m. Saturday June 4 on Regatta Park River Trails along the Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City, is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.
Purchase tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com. Active U.S. Military and U.S. Military veterans receive an admission discount with a valid Military I.D. For additional information contact Red Earth, Inc. at 427-5228 or visit http://www.redearth.org/.