‘Old Fashioned Picnic’

Annual Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club Scheduled For Saturday, May 16

The Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club annual picnic, featuring Cherokee games and storytelling, arts activities along with vendors, music and a traditional hog fry, will return to Claremore’s Will Rogers Stampede Park in Claremore, 13601 E Blue Starr Dr, Claremore, OK on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Admission is free and open to the public. Gates open at 9 a.m. There is no charge to eat or participate; however, donations are welcome to support the event. The main event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day’s program includes addresses from Cherokee Nation officials in attendance.

Food prepared as part of the traditional Cherokee hog fry served free of charge along with strawberry shortcake, while supply lasts.

“Our event is a one-of-a-kind cultural opportunity in Claremore and within our greater historical Cooweescoowee District. This event brings our people together to enjoy what it means to be community, to share with and learn from one another,” IWPC President Monta Ewing said.

‘Old Fashioned Picnic’ Activities & Entertainment

Cherokee National Treasure Richard Fields and his team display and demonstrate traditional Cherokee games including marbles, cornstalk shoots and hatchets.

Cherokee Nation citizen Crystal Hanna will offer an opportunity for children and adults alike to experience first-hand clay sculpting and pottery making. A variety of other vendors will be offering art to goods at the event.

An entertainment highlight this year features Bart Taylor, known as “Buckaroo Bart,” the Will Rogers Interpreter and Creative Curator at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Taylor keeps alive the story of Oklahoma’s most famous Cherokee – Will Rogers – for children and adults alike. Buckaroo Bart will demonstrate Will’s famous rope tricks and talk about the impact of Rogers’ character and life on the history of the world.

Who is the Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club?

IWPC, established in 1899, is a proud partner with Cherokee Community and Cultural Outreach as a nonprofit organization. The purpose of the Club is to share forward the stories, traditions, heritage, and history of the earliest Cherokee settlers of Rogers County through community gatherings, historical research and supporting educational pursuits and scholarships.

Community picnics were the social gatherings of the early era of the Pocahontas Club. The Club members continue to honor these traditions, in accordance with their mission to be the “caretakers of our culture, our heritage, and our communities.”

Presenting sponsor of this event is Cherokee Nation Businesses. Other major sponsors include Grand River Dam Authority.

For more information, contact Monta Ewing at (918) 857-2089 or email eat0@eau0eav0eaw0 or visit our website at www.indianwpc.org.