TAHLEQUAH — Emily Bywater struggled to hold onto the large trophy she won while participating in the blowgun contest Saturday afternoon at the 56th Cherokee National Holiday, a celebration of the Cherokee Nation’s culture and traditions.

Bywater, 14, of Fort Gibson had never used a blowgun before, but quickly learned what she needed to do to be accurate. Points were awarded to competitors during the traditional Native American game, as they blew darts onto a target. Bywater won first place in the youth blowgun competition and said it wasn’t an easy win.

“I got 180 points to win,” Bywater said. “It was really hard because you have to aim and pay really close attention to what you’re doing. I’m really proud.”

The theme for this year’s event was “Planting the Seed Corn for our Children’s Future.” The holiday is held each year over the Labor Day weekend. It has been held since 1953 in tribute to the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution and has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, with more than 90,000 visitors attending.

Activities during the holiday included traditional game competitions, vending, storytelling, the State of the Nation Address by Principal Chief Chad Smith, and the passing of the Miss Cherokee crown.

David McDaniel, 36, of Springdale, Ark., was selected to play the role of a rabbit while a Cherokee storyteller entertained a crowd at the Cherokee Heritage Center.

McDaniel, along with his wife and son, traveled to Tahlequah to experience the tribe’s culture. A graduate from Northeastern State University, he said this was his son’s first time to attend the event and they had already purchased a few crafts.

“We’re just here for the day, but we are going to go to the powwow,” McDaniel said. “My wife is from the Blackfoot Nation and she wants to buy some turquoise from here.”

Betty Cabrera, 51, of Fort Gibson tried to stay cool while she sat on a park bench under a shade tree. Cabrera said she would be attending the powwow Saturday night and wanted to taste a meat pie, made by one of her friends who would have a booth there.

Cabrera said it is a family tradition to attend the holiday and she enjoys running into old family and friends.

“I’ve been coming since I was little,” she said. “The only thing is that we don’t have Mother here this year. This is where you can meet family from out of state. I saw some from Wichita Falls, Texas, that I hadn’t seen in 12 years.”