Andrew Whiteshirt, 19, dances Friday during the Red Earth Festival outside the Cox Convention Center. (Photo by Ashley R. West, The Oklahoman)

From Saturday’s The Oklahoman.

Red Earth celebrates silver anniversary
Since 1987 Oklahoma City festival has been bringing together American Indian artists, dancers and tribes to share and honor their culture.

In a dazzling display of feathered, beaded and belled finery, hundreds of dancers wound into the Cox Convention Center Friday afternoon as the 25th Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival commenced in downtown Oklahoma City.

Clad in …

Ruthe Blalock Jones

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more on the Red Earth Festival, click here.

BAM column: Nationally known artist-educator named 2011 Red Earth Honored One
Oklahoma native Ruthe Blalock Jones considers the festival’s master visual artist designation “a lifetime achievement award.”

Ruthe Blalock Jones doesn’t recall ever aspiring to become an artist: That’s just what she always was.

"Lily" by Ruthe Blalock Jones

“I remember as a child, I never said ‘I’m going to be an artist’ or ‘When I grow up I will …

A participant dances during a grand entry at the 2010 Red Earth Festival at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman Archives)

Oklahoma City Fairs & Festivals on wimgo

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

2011 Red Earth Festival schedule

The 25^th Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival is Friday-Sunday at the Cox Convention Center and surrounding downtown Oklahoma City area.

One-day admission is $10 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens 60 and older and for children ages 6-17, and …

Isaac Fire, 6, of Yukon, a member of the Arapaho Tribe, waits for the start of the day's activities at the 2010 Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma CIty. (Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Archives)

Oklahoma City Fairs & Festivals on wimgo

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To see the Red Earth Festival schedule, click here.

Red Earth goes silver
The Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival is celebrating its 25^th anniversary Friday-Sunday at Cox Convention Center

American Indian dancer Robert Selumber performs with other dancers during the Red Earth Festival media day Tuesday at the state Capitol. (Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman)

A version of this story appears in Wednesday’s The Oklahoman.

Red Earth readies for silver anniversary celebration
The 25^th annual festival is set for June 3-5 at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

While Oklahoma’s five American Indian ballerinas struck their perpetually graceful poses overhead, a new generation of dancers stomped, spun …

"Winds of War," acrylic on canvass by Gary Montgomery (Seminole), is part of the Red Earth Museum's "The Indian Pony" exhibit.

As part of Downtown Thursdays in December, the Red Earth Museum and Gallery is staying open until 7 tonight and every Thursday this month.

The event will give art lovers added time to see the newest exhibit at the museum, 6 Santa Fe Plaza.

Twenty original paintings and select historical artifacts from the permanent Red Earth Museum collection are currently on display in the exhibit “The Indian Pony.”

The …

"Eagle Dog" by Seminole artist Gary Montgomery of Shawnee was recipient of the Grand Award for Best of Show during the 2010 Red Earth Festival art market in Oklahoma City.

Red Earth, Inc is currently accepting applications from American Indian artists for the Silver Anniversary Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival scheduled for June 3-5, 2011, at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

The Red Earth Festival is considered the world’s largest event of its kind, drawing thousands of art enthusiasts to a three-day weekend celebrating Native American …

Participants march in Friday's Red Earth Festival parade. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala/The Oklahoman)

The Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival has been selected to be featured in the 2011 Rand McNally Road Atlas and Festival Guide, representing the best of Oklahoma events.

Other events included in the 2011 guide include the 89er’s Celebration in Guthrie, the Azalea Festival in Muskogee, Fried Onion Burger Day Festival in El Reno, Ponca City Herb Festival and Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City.

In 2011, the Red Earth Festival will celebrate its 25th …

A participant in Friday's Red Earth Festival parade gives a thumbs-up sign. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala/The Oklahoman)

Today’s featured event:

Take in American Indian dancing, a juried art market, children’s activities and more during the final day of the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. today at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

For more information, go to www.redearth.org.

For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

-BAM…

Staff Sgt. Jay Tiger leads the Oklahoma National Guard's 145th Army Band at the front of Friday's Red Earth Festival parade. (BAM photo)

From Saturday’s The Oklahoman.

Red Earth Festival honoring veterans, reservists and active duty military

Face suitably solemn, shiny mace gripped firmly in his gloved hand, Staff Sgt. Jay Tiger smartly marched the Oklahoma National Guard’s 145^th Army Band down E.K. Gaylord Avenue Friday morning.

Behind the band, feathers, beads and bells fluttered in the wind as American Indian dancers showed off their elaborate regalia and tribal …