Come together and celebrate at Annual Meeting & Festival!
This article appeared in the September 2017 edition of the Chickasaw Times
For all Chickasaws across the country and around the world, this is your special invitation to join us the end of this month for our biggest events of the year!
Our 57th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and 29th Annual Chickasaw Festival will kick off September 29 and run through the day of Annual Meeting, October 7. As is our tradition, our meetings, events and celebrations will be centered in our historic capital city of Tishomingo.
Annual Meeting and Festival offer the unique opportunity to enjoy family and friends, and to make new acquaintances. As we celebrate our storied Chickasaw Nation history, we are affirming our Chickasaw heritage, traditions and culture.
“A Gathering of Our People” will be an event you do not want to miss!
During Annual Meeting and Festival, we experience that special time of reconnection with those who share our incredible history. We will gather together in venues throughout the Chickasaw Nation for great events, great fellowship and celebration of our people and our tribe.
This year kicks off with the Stomp Dance and stickball game at Kullihoma beginning at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29. If you have never attended a stomp dance, this is the year for you! Dancing continues until 2 a.m.
Also on Friday is our Chickasaw History Challenge Bowl at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur. That event begins at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30 will feature the 5k Fun Run/1 Mile Walk, golf tournament, co-ed slow-pitch softball tournament, and Junior Olympics. All these events are in Tishomingo. Cyclers can enjoy the Pontotoc Pursuit bicycle ride beginning at 9 a.m. at Wintersmith Park in Ada. The popular Corn Stalk Shoot is at Kullihoma, with kids’ competition at 8:30 a.m., and adults beginning at 10 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 2 features our traditional Chickasaw Princess Pageant, which begins at 6 p.m. at Ada High School. Three young ladies will be selected to serve as our Chickasaw Royalty. Tuesday, Oct. 3 is the day for our popular Chickasaw Senior Olympics at Murray State College in Tishomingo.
Throughout the week, local students will enjoy historic tours in Tishomingo. There will also be storytelling, children’s activities and stickball and other cultural demonstrations. You can also enjoy a tour of the Chickasaw White House in Emet.
Thursday, Oct. 5 features the traditional Cultural Evening, at 4 p.m., followed by the Arts & Culture Awards at 6:30 p.m. Both events are at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.
A wonderful variety of very talented artists are featured at the Southeastern Art Show and Market on the south Capitol grounds in Tishomingo on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and 7. This is a great show that features many unique art pieces from a number of Chickasaw and other Southeastern artists. You will love the art!
Saturday, Oct. 7 is, of course, our biggest day with the State of the Nation address at 9 a.m. at Murray State College, followed by the annual Festival parade down Tishomingo’s Main Street. The traditional Chickasaw meal will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m., on the Capitol lawn.
Our annual gathering encompasses all these things, and so much more. Make your family’s plans now to attend the Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival. You will be so glad you made the trip home!
This year, renew your connection to the Chickasaw Nation. I look forward to seeing you this year!