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Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival Kicks Off Sept. 28

"A Gathering Of Our People" Begins Sept. 28, Culminates Oct. 6

A longstanding tradition of celebrating Chickasaw heritage, customs and unconquerable spirit gets underway during the 2018 Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival, Sept. 28-Oct.6.

This year marks the 58th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and the 30th Chickasaw Festival, an event which draws thousands from across the globe to reunite in Chickasaw Country.

Activities celebrating Chickasaw culture, heritage, spirit and traditions begin Friday, Sept. 28, and culminate Saturday, Oct. 6, and will be conducted in communities throughout the Chickasaw Nation.

"For more than a half-century Chickasaws from all walks of life have gathered each year to reunite with one another and reconnect with our culture," Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. "We look forward to this annual homecoming as a way to share and celebrate the Chickasaw spirit."

Several momentous events are conducted during the weeklong celebration, which is highlighted by Gov. Anoatubby's "State of the Nation" address during the Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting, 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at Fletcher Auditorium on the campus of Murray State College, Tishomingo.

The Festival Parade will begin at the MSC campus and march down Tishomingo's Main Street at 12:30 p.m.

Chickasaw Nation Capitol grounds is the site of most afternoon activities including: Southeastern Art Show and Market, Chickasaw Press book signing, a traditional meal, health fair, cultural demonstrations and live entertainment, a petting zoo, children's activities. All activities will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Capitol grounds.

Other activities including: cultural classes, storytelling, stickball and Stomp Dance demonstrations and a Horseshoe, Corn Hole and Fishing tournament begin at 1 p.m.

Chickasaw Princess Pageant

Chickasaw Princesses for 2018-19 will be selected during the traditional pageant, 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at Ada High School.

Chickasaw Senior Olympics will be conducted 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2, in Tishomingo.

Cultural Evening, Arts and Culture Awards

Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur, will host Cultural Evening and Arts and Culture Awards Thursday, Oct. 4. Activities begin at 4 p.m. The Arts and Cultural awards ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

In Tishomingo, Hundreds of local students will participate in educational school tours and museum tours Tuesday, Oct. 2 – Thursday, Oct. 4.

Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) opens Friday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. In its 13thyear, SEASAM provides an opportunity for tribal artists to gather and celebrate Southeastern and Woodlands arts. SEASAM offers a juried competition with awards, and a marketplace where artists can display and sell their works.

Sept. 29 Events

Registration for Cornstalk shoot tournaments for all ages begin at 8 a.m. at Kullihoma, east of Ada. Competition begins at 9 a.m.

Pontotoc Pursuit, an annual bicycle ride, will be 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, in Ada. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Numerous other events will be conducted in the Tishomingo area Sept. 29 including: a golf tournament, a 1 mile and 5K Fun Run and Walk, softball tournament, Junior Olympics, museum tours, a stickball exhibition and a movie night. Activities will also be conducted at the Chickasaw Cultural Center and at Ft. Washita.

A Chickasaw History Challenge Bowl at the cultural center and a social Stickball game and Stomp Dance at Kullihoma open the weeklong homecoming celebration Friday, Sept. 28.

A live video stream of the Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting will be available at annualmeeting.chickasaw.net A live audio stream of Annual Meeting will also be available on KCNP 89.5 FM in Ada, 89.3 FM, Dickson and http://www.KCNP.org.

A complete listing of events, locations and schedules is available online at annualmeeting.chickasaw.net or follow Chickasaw Nation social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updated information.

For more information call (580) 371-2040 or 1 (800) 593-3356.

 

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