Please come join us for Chickasaw Annual Meeting, Festival!
This article appeared in the September 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times
We are approaching that special time of year when all Chickasaws come together to enjoy great fellowship and celebrate our heritage!
Our 54th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and 26th Annual Chickasaw Festival run from Sept. 26 through Oct. 4. As is our tradition, our meetings, events and celebrations will be centered in our historic capitol city of Tishomingo.
The Annual Meeting and Festival are very popular and offer the opportunity to enjoy family, friends and new acquaintances. All Chickasaws can reconnect with our Chickasaw heritage, traditions and culture.
This year our theme is “Honor, Tradition, Courage – Our People.” We will gather together in venues throughout the Chickasaw Nation for great events, great fellowship and celebration of our beloved tribe.
This year kicks off with the Stomp Dance at Kullihoma beginning at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26. Dancing continues into the wee hours of Saturday morning. Be sure to join us this year!
Saturday, Sept. 27 will feature the golf tournament at Tishomingo Golf Course, the 5k Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk at Refuge Road, the co-ed slow-pitch softball tournament at Murray State College, and Junior Olympics at Tishomingo High School field. The popular Corn Stalk Shoot begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kullihoma.
Monday, Sept. 29 is 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. We are very proud of our young Chickasaw women and their dedication to our traditions, and we very much hope to see you there!
Tuesday through Friday features tours of the Tishomingo museums, the Chickasaw Cultural Center and Chickasaw White House. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo and the fun “make and take” tent. This is the time when area school children visit to tour and learn about our culture.
Our Chickasaw elders will compete in the annual Senior Olympics beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the Johnston County Sports Complex in Tishomingo. Please come out and support our elders!
Thursday 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.
Friday is the popular Southeastern Art Show and Market, which opens at 9 a.m. on the Capitol grounds. You will find some beautiful art! At 8 p.m. that evening, put on your boots and enjoy the rodeo at the Tishomingo arena. The rodeo continues on Saturday evening.
Saturday, Oct. 4 is, of course, our biggest day. Annual Meeting begins at 9 a.m. with the State of the Nation address at Murray State College, followed by the annual parade down Tishomingo’s Main Street. The traditional Chickasaw meal will be served beginning at 11:45 a.m. at Murray State College.
Of course, there will be all the events and venues that have become traditions for us over the years.
It’s time you made your plans to attend the Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival! I guarantee you will be glad you made the trip!
Come and celebrate with us this year. I look forward to seeing you!