Pocahontas Women: 'Hats off to Will!'

Oct. 28—Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskin Jr. will speak at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum Saturday during the annual "Hats Off to Will" and wreath-laying ceremony, starting 10 a.m.

This annual tribute, started in 1938 upon Will's death, by members of the Indian Women's Pocahontas Club. Today it has become a signature event on his birthdate during the annual Will Rogers Days celebration.

The wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the site of Rogers' tomb on the museum grounds located atop the hill where Highway 88 curves northwest toward Oologah Lake and Rogers Birthplace Ranch.

Saturday's events are free and open to the public.

Rogers was known as "The Cherokee Kid," and so it is fitting the annual celebration of his birthday coincides with Indigenous Heritage Day and the beginning of Native American Heritage Month. This month also kicks off the Pocahontas Club's 125th year celebration.

"The ceremony will begin at the museum rotunda with members dressed in their Cherokee Tear dresses and red Pocahontas Club shawls," Celeste Tillery, Club president, said. Members will gather around the bronze statue of Will Rogers, as they recite their Club Collect and place a basket of fall foliage at the foot of the statue.

The Club members will then proceed to the tomb for the wreath-laying ceremony.

The Chief's address will follow in the Will Rogers Theater.

Guest will be entertained with the bow and string stylings of Jana Jae "Queen of Fiddle" and a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the National Fiddler Hall of Fame.

At the end of the program, there will be a Hat Contest in honor of Will's wife Betty Blake Rogers.

Following the entertainment, Will's favorite lunch, navy beans, cornbread and pie will be served to attendees.

"Join us, as we thank Cherokee Nation Businesses, Oklahoma Arts Council, the State of Oklahoma and National Endowment for the Arts for making this event possible," Ollie Starr, IWPC executive director said.