CHEROKEE, N.C. – The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will host the 97th annual Cherokee Indian Fair Oct. 6-10, offering nightly musical entertainment, fireworks, a carnival midway full of rides and games, craft vendors and food vendors, including some featuring traditional Cherokee cuisine.

An exhibit hall will display the Eastern Band enrolled members’ traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Visitors will also have a chance to see a comedy show, gospel music and a host of family-friendly competitions such as blowgun, longbow and compound bow archery contests and wood chopping.

A parade at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, kicks off the five-day fete and is followed by the Miss Cherokee Pageant at 7 p.m. and the Cherokee Idol Contest at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, is Children's Day and features fun games like potato sack racing, trout fishing and crafting for the little ones. Bo Bice, an American Idol favorite, headlines Wednesday night's musical acts.

Thursday, Oct. 8, honors the elders with free admission to attendees age 59 1/2 or older until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, is dedicated to veterans, with all veterans and active duty military personnel receiving free admission until 5 p.m.

Community Day is Saturday, Oct. 10, and is complete with a horseshoe tournament and contests that include longest hair, baby crawling, clogging and corn shucking.

The fair wraps up Saturday night with performances by singer/ songwriter Crystal Shawanda, the legendary Charlie Daniels Band at 9 p.m. and a grand finale fireworks show at 11 p.m.

The fair opens 10 a.m. daily. General admission is $10 and includes nightly concerts; children 6 and under are admitted free.

The fair grounds are on Hwy. 441 in Cherokee.