The Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the North Carolina Arts Council will celebrate thousands of years of southern Appalachian and Cherokee history at the Cherokee Voices Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9.

The festival is free and open to the public. It will take place at the museum on Tsali Boulevard in Cherokee.

This year’s festival kicks off the 250th anniversary of the journeys of Englishman Henry Timberlake and Cherokee man Ostenaco, described in “Emissaries of Peace; the 1762 Delegations.” Both men worked together to try and improve relations between the Cherokee people and England.

Walk through the museum’s exhibits, meet Ostenaco and Timberlake in person, and watch the Warriors of AniKituwha presenting the dance that greeted Timberlake. Experience traditional Cherokee dance, music, storytelling, food, 18th century arts and crafts, weapons, and living history.

www.cherokeemuseum.org/events-voices.htm or 828.497.3481.