July 2008 events in or near Cherokee County June 27 to July 4 – 51st annual Wagon Train: Saddle up to ride and explore the area in and around Andrews and the Valley River Valley with the nation’s oldest continuous wagon train. Routes to be announced. For details, call the Andrews Chamber of Commerce toll free at 877-558-0005 or local 321-3584 or wagon train coordinator Dana Luther at 828-321-2376. June 28 through August 30 – The Stecoah Valley Center’s “An Appalachian Evening” concert series begins. The center is proud to offer a great lineup of American music with roots this summer. All of the concerts take place in the Stecoah Valley Center in historic Stecoah. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. Box dinners and snacks are available. July 4 – Andrews Fourth of July Celebration will be held at Andrews Recreation Park. Food, music, contests, fireworks and fun. For details, call 321-2135. • Murphy Fourth of July Celebration will be held at Konehete Park. The event features contests, food and fireworks at dark. For details, call 837- 6617. • A Fourth of July boat parade will be held in Young Harris, Ga. For details, call 706-896-4966. • Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza will begin at 9:45 p.m. at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, Ga. For details, call 706-896-4191 or visit www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com. • Fourth of July’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Celebration will be held at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Ga. There will be special holiday events, arts and crafts, music, seasonal movies, and lots of fun family activities. For details, call 706-379- 9900 or 800-201-3205 or visit www.brasstownvalley. com. July 4-5 – The Heritage Festival will be held in the Robbinsville Elementary School gym’s parking lot. July 4-6 – The N.C. Bluegrass Festival will be held at the Happy Holiday Campground. For details, call 828-497-7250 • The annual July Powwow at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds will feature a special brand of fireworks and a two-day explosion of authentic Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Dance competitions kick the excitement up even higher. For details, call 1-800-438-1601. July 5 – OTM Summer Music Concerts will be held on the Square from 6-8 p.m. in Hiawassee, Ga., every Saturday in July, weather permitting. For details, call 706-896-0598 or visit the Web site www. otmga.org. • The Summer Concert Series at Crane Creek Vineyards will feature the band Bullet Proof from 7-10 p.m. in Young Harris, Ga. For details, 706-379-1236 or visit the Web site www.cranecreekvineyards. com. • Music In The Mountains is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the train depot in Bryson City. The event features bluegrass and old-time music. For details, call 828-488-3681. The concerts are every Saturday until October. • An Appalachian Evening Concert and Dinner will feature featuring bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists at the Stecoah Valley Center. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an authentic Appalachian dinner before each concert. Dinner is served family style in two seatings at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. For details, call 828-497- 6634. July 11 – Street dance on the square in Hayesville. Evening performances feature local bands and food concessions. Free. • Music on the Square summer music series will be held at 8 p.m. at Graham County’s courthouse square. The Carolina Bluegrass Boys will perform. • The Union Towns Homebuilders Association will host a golf tournament at The Ridges Country Club in Hayesville. For details, call Don Schneider at United Community Bank at 706-896-5994 or visit www. uniontownshba.org. • Journey to the Edge of Space and Time at 8 p.m. in the Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Ga. Visitors can journey through black holes, giant galaxies, clusters and parallel universes. Shows also on July 18. For details, call 706-379-3111 or visit the Web site www.yhc.edu. July 11-13: Festival on the square in Hayesville on the old courthouse lawn. More than 65 artisans will display and sell wares. The festival features music, dance acts and a variety of food. For details, call 389-8586. July 12 – Bubbles in the Park will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Konehete Park. For details, call Family Resources at 837-3640. • Rodeo at Shiloh Stables in Hayesville starting at 8 p.m. PCA sanctioned Bar W Rodeo, sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Hayesville with Bar W stock contractor. Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for kids 5 - 11 years old. For details, call 389-3704. • The 16th annual Christian Harmony Shape Note Singing will be held at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. The event will feature more than 70 singers from four state. For details, call 800-FOLK-SCH or visit www.folkschool.org. • An Appalachian Evening Concert and Dinner will feature featuring bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists at the Stecoah Valley Center. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an authentic Appalachian dinner before each concert. Dinner is served family style in two seatings at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. For details, call 828- 497-6634. July 14 – Clay County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at First Citizens Bank in Hayesville. For details, call 389-3704. July 16-27 – The annual Georgia Mountain Fair will be held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, Ga. carnival rides, unique attractions and a glimpse into North Georgia’s rich history and culture. Tickets are $9 with a $2 parking fee. For details, visit www.georgiamountainfairgrounds. com. July 17-19 – The Festival of Native Peoples will be held at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. The Festival of Native Peoples is an exposition of non-competitive dance, storytelling, and song performances expressing the collected history, culture, tradition, and wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Juried artists and artisans will return to Cherokee to display, show and sell their work. For details, call 1-800-438-1601. Vendors should contact John Grant at 828-497-4496. July 18 – Music on the Square summer music series will be held at 8 p.m. at Graham County’s courthouse square. Bluegrass Partners will perform. July 19 – An Appalachian Evening Concert and Dinner will feature featuring bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists at the Stecoah Valley Center. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an authentic Appalachian dinner before each concert. Dinner is served family style in two seatings at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. For details, call 828- 497-6634. July 22 – Stecoah Valley Center will present Folkmoot, USA. For details, call 828-497-6634. July 24-Aug. 10 – The Licklog Players will perform Camelot at The Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville. It will play at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. For details, call 828-389-8632 or 877- 691-9906 or visit www.licklogplayers. org. July 25 – Music on the Square summer music series will be held at 8 p.m. at Graham County’s courthouse square. The Fontana Ramblers will perform. July 25 through Aug. 3 – The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is hosting a day out with Thomas the Tank fans will meet Sir Topham Hatt and ride the train pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine. The ride is 30 minutes. There also will be entertainment, petting zoo, storytelling, play center and more. For details, call 800-872-4681. July 26 – An Appalachian Evening Concert and Dinner will feature featuring bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists at the Stecoah Valley Center. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. An authentic Appalachian dinner is served family style in two seatings at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. For details, call 828- 497-6634. Also, see www.thecherokeescout.com or www.cherokeesentinel.com and click on Calendar for a more complete listing of happenings around Cherokee County.