Governor Bill AnoatubbyMake plans to attend Annual Meeting, Festival
By Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
It is most likely hot and steamy this time of year where most Chickasaws live. And while we are each dealing with the sun and the heat, it is not too early to save the date for this year's Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival.
This year will mark the 48th Annual Meeting and the 20th Chickasaw Festival. The Meeting and Festival will begin Saturday, September 27 and run through Saturday, October 4.
As usual, the week will kick off with the Junior Olympics on Saturday in Tishomingo. If you have not attended this fun event in the past, make plans this year to attend. This is a great event that showcases our youngest Chickasaw athletes in friendly competition. Our kids are great to watch on the track!
For our Chickasaw golfers, the first day of our annual events offers the opportunity to play on the terrific WinStar golf course. This is an exceptional 18-hole course that golfers of all skill levels will find fun and challenging.
As is traditional, Monday evening will be the time for the annual Chickasaw Princess Pageant. This event is hosted at the Cougar Activity Center on the campus of Ada High School. We always have an outstanding group of young Chickasaw ladies seeking the titles of Chickasaw Princess, Chickasaw Junior Princess and Little Miss Chickasaw. If you have not attended this event before, you will be glad you made the decision to go this year.
This year also marks a special time and place for the annual Chickasaw Cultural Evening. In the past, this event has been conducted at Kullihoma. This year, we will be gathering at the new Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur. You won't want to miss this tremendous evening of Chickasaw culture, presented for the first time inside our new Cultural Center.
All during the week, our historic capitol city of Tishomingo will be the site of cultural demonstrations, art shows, arts and crafts displays and much more. During the week, we host many local school children who come to Tishomingo to discover more about the Chickasaw Nation. We have programs ready for the kids so they can have a great "hands on" experience.
Of course the final day of the weeklong celebration, Saturday, October 4, will kick off with the State of the Nation address, followed by the annual parade through downtown Tishomingo. We will then all gather for the traditional Chickasaw Lunch. You will enjoy the Chickasaw Dance Troupe as well as other cultural demonstrations.
It's not too early to plan your trip! If you have never had the opportunity to come and enjoy the Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival, make this your year to come. I guarantee you will have a wonderful experience filled with Chickasaw culture, fun, good food and great connections with fellow Chickasaws. You will definitely become reacquainted with old friends!
For more information on the 48th Annual Meeting and 20th Chickasaw Festival, please call the tribe's Annual Meeting and Festival organizers at 1 (800) 593-3356.
We look forward to seeing you at this year's Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival!
