Red Fern Festival

Name: Red Fern Festival
Address: Tahlequah, OK, 74464, US
Telephone: (918) 431-1655
Rating: 5

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Red Fern Festival

The award winning Red Fern Festival is a celebration of our community and it’s history with the classic Wilson Rawls story, Where the Fern Grows.
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Held downtown annually the last weekend in April, hosted by Tahlequah Main Street Association.

03/14/2026

The 18th Annual Red Fern Festival
is going to be JAMMIN’! 🎶🌿🔥

We are So Excited to announce the Music Lineup for the 2026 Red Fern Festival! 🎤✨

Spreading the love across two stages, the “Old Dan” Stage and the “Little Ann” Stage, throughout the Red Fern Festival we will be highlighting both local talent and a mix of full bands and singer-songwriters ranging from Red Dirt to Bluegrass and Americana.
🤠🎻🎵 Music for all to enjoy!

Thank you to our Little Ann Stage Sponsor Visit Cherokee Nation and to our Music Showcase Sponsor M&M Rentals and Septic, for helping make the music happen. 🙌

Tag your friends who you’ll be joining the fun with and be sure to follow for more announcements on specific set times, locations, and the Music Showcase Details! 🎉📍🎶

Blaine Bailey
Lance Roark
Heartland Xpress
Agalisiga Mackey Music
Tequila Kim Reynolds
Casey West
Zef Foster
Carter Douglas Combs
Canyon Sons
Kanton Teen and The Penny Pickers
Amber Watson
Jana Jae
Barton & Sweeney
Cody Horlick

03/02/2026

Red Fern Festival Pageant Registration is Now Open! 🌿👑

Pageant participation can help build confidence & public speaking skills, develop leadership skills & community involvement, personal growth and participation in a celebration of a local tradition and history. This year’s theme, “Forever Red Fern: A Tradition of Legacy,” honors the heart of the program, building strong, confident young leaders who shine both on and off the stage.

✨ Divisions for ages 2–18
✨ Reserved for Cherokee County Residents
✨ Red Carpet inspired Fashion
✨ Onstage Chat
✨ Rehearsal & Photoshoot
✨ $60 Registration Fee per participant

📅April 25, 2026
⏰10 AM – 2 PM at the Red Fern Main Stage
🛑Registration closes April 10, 2026
📍 Hosted by Tahlequah Main Street Association
❤️ Presented by Queen of ACE
🔗 Register now at www.tahlequahmainstreet.com

https://pci.jotform.com/form/251174831594158
Spots fill quickly — don’t wait! Let’s make 2026 unforgettable. ❤️🌿

02/26/2026

🌿👟 🏁 Run for the Fern!

The Red Fern Festival 5k + Run Run 2026 Registration is NOW OPEN!

This is a social event with something for everyone! 🏃🏽‍♂️🦮🏃🏼‍♀️
For avid runners this event is a USATF Certified Course and chip timed race by I:40 Race Service. Medals will be awarded to Top 3 Overall in M/F and Finisher Medals to All Runners. 🥇🥈🥉
For the fun run, participants go at their own pace. 🧘🏻

🐾Being at the Red Fern Festival with dogs at its roots, this is also a well mannered dog friendly event for our canine friends!

📍 NSU Letters 210 E Smith Street
📋 Registration Open: 5:30PM
⏳ 5K and Fun Run Start Time: 6:30PM Awards: 7:30
📆 Early Bird Registration Fee before 4/7: Fun Run $25, 5k $30
💲 Full Price Registration Fee April 8-25: Fun Run $30, 5k $35
👚T-shirt: Must register by April 7th to get a guaranteed shirt. All registrations after, shirts are first come first serve.
🗺️ Participants will begin/end at the North end of the Festival and route through NSU for the course with aid stations ran by Kaizen Running Club

🧑🏽‍💻To Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/OK/Tahlequah/RedFernFestival5k
🔜 Course map and T-Shirt Design will be revealed soon!

Bring the family & friends and before and after the race spend your day enjoying the festival! Food trucks, shopping, arts & crafts, live music, lil' fern forest bounce zone & adventure zone and more!

02/24/2026

🔥 SOLD OUT 🔥

Vendor registration for the Red Fern Festival is officially FULL - another RECORD-BREAKING year! 🐾🌿

The response has been absolutely incredible, and we are blown away by how many makers, artists, food vendors, and businesses want to be part of this iconic Tahlequah tradition. ❤️

👉 MISSED YOUR SPOT? Join the waitlist NOW:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call: 918-931-1699

(Spots do open as plans change — don’t wait!)

To our confirmed vendors: Get ready… downtown Tahlequah is about to be PACKED. 🏙️
This year’s festival is shaping up to be BIGGER, BUSIER, and BETTER than ever.

Let the countdown begin! 🎉

⚠️ Important Reminder — Beware of Scams

Vendor registration for the Red Fern Festival is ONLY shared through official JotForm links or emails from addresses ending in .com.

🚫 We will NEVER request payment or registration through Facebook Messenger, comments, or private accounts.

⚠️ Vendor spots are non-transferable. Selling or purchasing a vendor space from another individual is strictly prohibited and will not be honored.

If you are ever unsure, please contact us directly before sending payment. Stay safe and help us keep the festival fair for everyone!

02/16/2026

Being a part of the Red Fern Festival Pageant means so many things, including a day of arts, culture, history and education at Red Fern Day at the Capitol. 🏦🌿

We hope the Upper Division Royalty have an amazing day at the Capitol!

Keep an eye out for Pageant registration, Coming Soon!

02/10/2026

🚨 Vendor Update – Red Fern Festival 🌿

We’re blown away by the response for this year’s Red Fern Festival! At this time, we are fully booked in the following vendor booth categories:

• Popcorn
• Crochet items
• Knives
• Freeze-dried candy
• Candles
• Jewelry
• Essential oils
• Soaps
• T-shirts
• Baked goods
• Seasoning blends
• Tumblers

✨ Important: We currently have only about a dozen vendor spots remaining.

We are actively seeking more interactive booths to help create a hands-on, engaging, and well-rounded festival experience for attendees. If your business offers an interactive element (demonstrations, make-and-take activities, hands-on experiences, performances, etc.) or has additional offerings outside of the categories listed above, we’d love to hear more and see if it might be a great fit for the festival.

Thank you for helping us keep the Red Fern Festival fresh, balanced, and unforgettable. ❤️🌿

👉 Important Reminder: Please be aware of internet scams. Tahlequah Main Street Association and the Red Fern Festival will only share vendor registration through official JotForm links or emails ending in .com. We will never request payment or participation through Messenger or private accounts.
Arts and Crafts vendors- https://pci.jotform.com/form/253425767977172

02/02/2026

📣🐾We are SO EXCITED to share that Rawley the Raccoon came out of hibernation in the sycamore tree, or so Billy called it, The Chicken Tree, and DID NOT see his Shadow!

🌞Legend says that means CLEAR OKLAHOMA SKIES for the Red Fern Festival! 🥳

01/24/2026

🌿✨ SAVE THE DATE! ✨🌿
The 18th Annual Red Fern Festival
hosted by Tahlequah Main Street Association,
returns April 24–25, 2026!

We can’t wait to see you! Mark your calendar and come visit us in Historic Downtown Tahlequah to enjoy the festivities including,

Live Music all weekend, 150+ Arts and Crafts and Food Truck vendors, Adventure Zone, Lil Fern Forest Inflatables, Red Fern Pageant, Cherokee Nation Wilson Rawls Museum Exhibit, Movie Showcase w/Actors + Screenings of Where the Red Fern Grows, Hound Dog Trials, Red Fern 5K + Fun Run, Cherokee Traditional Games Demonstrations + Cultural Craft Making, Duck Race and more!

👉 Stay tuned for ALL the details, the Classics, the Lineups, Registrations and the New!👀

🔗 https://www.tahlequahmainstreet.com/red-fern-festival.html

01/01/2026

🌿🐾 Vendor Applications Are NOW OPEN! 🐾🌿

The Red Fern Festival returns to Downtown Tahlequah on April 24–25, and vendor applications are officially open!

From handcrafted goods to delicious food and unique finds, we can’t wait to welcome an incredible lineup of vendors for one of Oklahoma’s favorite spring festivals.

👉 Important Reminder: Please be aware of internet scams. Tahlequah Main Street Association and the Red Fern Festival will only share vendor registration through official JotForm links or emails ending in .com. We will never request payment or participation through Messenger or private accounts.

Arts and Crafts vendors- https://pci.jotform.com/form/253425767977172

Food Vendor - https://form.jotform.com/tmsaok/18thannualRedFernFestival

12/29/2025

⏰ 3 DAYS TO GO! ⏰

🚨 VENDORS GET READY! 🚨

The countdown is officially on! In just 3 days, vendor registration opens for the 2026 Red Fern Festival, and we’re gearing up for our biggest year yet! 🌿✨

Whether you’re serving up mouthwatering eats, showcasing handmade treasures, or bringing a one-of-a-kind experience to Downtown Tahlequah, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the festival stage. ❤️

📅 Vendor Registration Opens: January 1, 2026
📍 Festival Dates: April 24–25, 2026

👉 Important Reminder: Please be aware of internet scams. Tahlequah Main Street Association and the Red Fern Festival will only share vendor registration through official JotForm links or emails ending in .com. We will never request payment or participation through Messenger or private accounts.

Stay tuned for the registration link… your spot is almost here! 🌿🐾✨

12/16/2025

🎉 Big congrats to the Tahlequah Main Street Promo Committee! 🎉

We’re so excited to celebrate the TMSA Promotions Committee for winning the Employee Choice Award from the City of Tahlequah - Municipal Government Christmas tree decorating contest! 🙌

Their Red Fern Christmas tree was truly something special, filled with meaningful photos and the sweetest handmade wooden ornaments. It was creative, heartfelt, and perfectly captured the spirit of the season. Dan+Ann=💕

12/08/2025

🚨 VENDORS — GET READY! 🚨
The Red Fern Festival is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for our biggest year yet! 🌿✨

Vendor registration for the 2026 Red Fern Festival officially opens January 1, 2026. Mark your calendars, prep your products, and get ready to claim your spot at one of Oklahoma’s favorite spring events!

Whether you’re serving up delicious food, showcasing handmade goods, or bringing a unique experience to Downtown Tahlequah, we can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store. ❤️

📅 Registration Opens: January 1, 2026
📍 Festival Dates: April 24–25, 2026

Stay tuned for the registration link and all the details. It’s almost time! 🌿🐾✨

🚨 Please be advised of any potential internet scams. TMSA and The Red Fern Festival will only seek vendor registration by JotForm links, or email Tahlequahmainstreet.com. We will never engage or seek payment or participation through messenger or private accounts.

Address

Tahlequah, OK
74464

Telephone

(918) 431-1655

Website

http://www.tahlequahmainstreet.com/red-fern-festival.html

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