Annual Meeting and Festival set for September 27 - October 4th

Tishomingo, Okla - Mark your Calendars!

     The 48th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and the 20th Annual Chickasaw Festival will be September 27th through October 4th in Tishomingo, historical capitol of the Chickasaw Nation. Events are also scheduled in Ada, the Kullihoma stomp grounds and the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.

     Bill Anoatubby, will deliver the "State of the Nation" address during the Annual Meeting. The address will be at 9 a. m. Saturday, October 4th at Fletcher Auditorium on the campus of Murray State College (MSC).

     "The Annual Meeting and Festival give all Chickasaws and our familied and friends from across the nation an opportunity to gather and celebrate our culture and history," Gov. Anoatubby said.

     Immediately following the "State of the Nation" address, hundreds with line Tishomingo's Main Street to enjoy the festival parade. The parade line-up includes bads from maby area schools andn floats representing a wide variety of organizations and children's groups from across southern Oklahoma.

     A wide variety of evcisting events for festival goers of all ages will be offered during the festival, including the Chickasaw traditional lunch on the MSC campus, cultural and Dance Troup demonstrations on the capitol grounds, a Chickasaw artists' exhibition, the Band Day Extravaganza, Chickasaw White House tours, a horsehoe tournament and more.

     Saturday's festival events and activities are conducted throughout Tishomingo on the grounds of the Historic Chickasaw Capitol, Pennington Park, MSC campus, Johnston County Sports Complex and other venues. A gospel singing will take place Saturday from 2 p. m. to 4 p. m.on the capitol grounds' west lot. Local and professional singers and groups will be on stage to entertain. Several Chickasaw authorswill be on hand for book signing Friday and Saturday.

     A wide variety of events fro kids and families are scheduled throughout festival week. These include the Chickasaw Princess Pageant in Ada, the Junior Olympics at Tishomingo High Scholl, softball tournament, a golf tournament at the new WinStar Golf course, cultural tours and demonstrations at the capitol grounds, the Arts and Culture awards ceremony, Youthful Celebration with new cultural make-and-take items, the senior arts and crafts sale, the JC Riding Club Rodeo and a Cultural Evening at the new Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.

     Other attractions for children include a petting zoo, pony rides, and train rides in Pennington Park. The park will also have inflatable games and the Kids' Fun To Learn tent that includes face painting, crafts and several make-and-take projects. Children't activities are avialvable Tuesday, September 30 through Saturday, October 4th from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m.

     A complete listing of events, location and schedules in available online at: http://www.Chickasaw.Net .

     For more information contact the Chickasaw Nation Festival office at (580) 371 - 2040.

From Chickasaw Times

By: Dana Hudsperth, Tribal Media Relations