Red Fern Festival 5k

  • Date Fri 24th April 2026
  • Time 6:30PM CDT
  • Location Tahlequah, Oklahoma
  • Price $27.50 - $32.80
  • Races 2 races
  • Distances 5km, 1 Mile

Event summary

Get ready for an exciting weekend at the 18th Annual Red Fern Festival in Tahlequah, Cherokee, taking place on April 24-25, 2026! This vibrant festival celebrates the beloved novel "Where the Red Fern Grows" and spans seven blocks filled with over 150 arts and crafts vendors, gourmet food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities like inflatables and petting zoos.

Join the fun on Friday, April 24, at 6:30 PM with the Red Fern Festival 5K, featuring a new course starting and finishing at the NSU Letters sign at the corner of Goingsnake, Muskogee, and Smith. This chip-timed race welcomes runners of all levels, and don’t forget to bring your furry friendsβ€”dogs are encouraged to join in on the fun! All participants will receive finisher medals, and trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. With a lively atmosphere and delicious food just blocks away, the Red Fern Festival 5K is the perfect way to kick off this annual celebration. Register early for the best rates and to guarantee your T-shirt!

Organiser's Description

APRIL 24-25 TAHLEQUAH MAIN STREET WILL HOST THE 18TH ANNUAL RED FERN FESTIVAL. THIS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS NOVEL WHICH IS SET IN THE OZARK HILLS IN AND AROUND TAHLEQUAH OKLAHOMA. THE FESTIVAL SPANS SEVEN BLOCKS AND HOSTS OVER 150 ARTS AND CRAFTS VENDORS AND GOURMET FOOD TRUCKS, ALONG WITH INFLATABLES, PETTING ZOOS, AND LIVE MUSIC.

THIS YEAR THE RED FERN FESTIVAL 5K WILL HAPPEN ON A NEW COURSE THAT WILL START AND FINISH AT NSU LETTERS SIGN AT THE CORNER OF GOINGSNAKE, MUSKOGEE, AND SMITH. MORE DETAILS ON THE NEW COURSE ROUTE. THIS WILL BE A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT, BUT IF THE WEATHER IS TOO MUCH TO GO ON, WE DO NOT HAVE A RESCHEDULE OPTION AND IT WILL BECOME A VIRTUAL RUN.

THE START FOR BOTH THE 5K AND THE FUN RUN WILL BE 6:30 FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 24TH. RUNNERS WILL BE FINISHING JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM FOOD TRUCKS AND LIVE MUSIC AT THE HEART OF THE RED FERN FESTIVAL AT NORRIS PARK. SO SIGN UP AND SOON RUN, EAT, AND BE ENTERTAINED AT THE RED FERN FESTIVAL 5K!

THIS SOCIAL RUN ALSO ENCOURAGES RUNNING WITH DOGS, SINCE DOGS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE RED FERN FESTIVAL. FOR THE MORE SERIOUS RUNNERS, THIS WILL BE A CHIP TIMED RACE BY I:40 RACE SERVICE.

FINISHERS MEDALS WILL GO TO ALL 5K PARTICIPANTS AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP 3 MALE AND FEMALE FINISHERS.

EVENT DETAILS:

LOCATION: NSU LETTERS SIGN AT CAMPUS ENTRANCE (CORNER OF GOINGSNAKE, MUSKOGEE, AND SMITH)

EVENTS: 5K AND FUN RUN

REGISTRATION OPEN: 5:30 PM

START TIMES: BOTH THE 5K AND FUN RUN WILL START AT 6:30 PM

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEES (BEFORE APRIL 7TH): FUN RUN FOR $25, 5K FOR $30

FULL PRICE REGISTRATION FEES (AFTER APRIL 7TH TO RACE DAY): FUN RUN FOR $30, 5K FOR $35

T-SHIRT: MUST REGISTER BY APRIL 7TH TO GET A GUARANTEED SHIRT. ALL REGISTRATIONS AFTER, SHIRTS THAT ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.

COURSE INFORMATION COMING SOON, MAP WILL BE POSTED THEN.

Races

  • 5k

    Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt

    Fri 24th April 2026 (6:30PM CDT)

    $32.80

  • Fun Run

    Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt

    Fri 24th April 2026 (6:30PM CDT)

    $27.50

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Location

400 N Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, 74464, OK, United States

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Apr 24, 2026

$27.50 - $32.80