Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration

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UniqueCherokee
Dates7 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe cemetery's founding story is unusually
Language["en"]Currency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration in Cherokee

Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration gathers visitors at the only cemetery in the country reserved exclusively for coon dogs. The tradition traces back to 1937, when Key Underwood buried his hunting dog Troop here and marked the grave with a hand-carved rock. Labor Day now brings music, dancing, food, souvenirs, and a liar's contest to the same ground.

Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration gathers around a burial ground unlike almost anywhere else.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The cemetery's founding story is unusually specific for a folk tradition: Key Underwood buried his dog Troop here in 1937 and carved the headstone himself, and burials have been restricted to coon dogs ever since, with each admission verified by witnesses who can confirm the dog's hunting credentials

02

The mystery stays covered

That strict rule is part of what keeps the place distinct from a generic pet cemetery

03

The city starts moving

The Labor Day gathering layers a genuine folk-culture event, storytelling, hound lore, a liar's contest, live music, dancing, on top of what remains, first and foremost, a working cemetery that people visit to pay their respects

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Labor Day is the day people gather at the cemetery to pay respects to the buried coon dogs

Water and renewal

Living ritual

The cemetery began with Troop's grave

The sacred route

Living ritual

marked by a rock Key Underwood carved by hand

The local code

Living ritual

Burials are reserved for coon dogs

Tradition 5

Living ritual

keeping the place tied to the hunting tradition that created it

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

7 September 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

The cemetery grounds are grass and gravel rather than pavement, so shoes built for uneven, sometimes damp turf serve you better than anything with a smooth sole. Plan to be on your feet for...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["en"] · USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.75 N, 95.55 WOpen in Google Maps

Cherokee, United States

TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cherokee via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cherokee, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearThe cemetery grounds are grass and gravel rather than pavement, so shoes built for uneven, sometimes damp turf serve you better than anything with a smooth sole. Plan to be on your feet for most of a Labor Day afternoon among the headstones.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration?

Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration is listed for 7 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration take place?

The festival is listed in Cherokee, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cherokee, United States

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcoondogcemetery.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates7 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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