We are in the thick of summer now, and that means outdoor activities and Fourth of July celebrations across the reservation. The Choctaw Nation will have its annual Boom in the Valley Show this year, but with a twist.
The Choctaw Nation will present a drone show for the annual Independence Day celebration, marking the nation’s 250th birthday. Join us in Tvshka Homma on July 3 for Choctaw’s first drone show as hundreds of colorful drones light up the night sky.
Grab your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of family fun featuring food vendors, games, and activities for all ages. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at dark.
The Choctaw Cultural Center will host its July Fourth Celebration on July 4, featuring activities for all ages, including a coloring contest and Choctaw trivia. Admission is $25 per vehicle.
The evening will end with a fireworks show. Champuli Cafe will offer concessions, and the Hvshi Gift Store will be open late.
Several Choctaw Casinos & Resorts will host fireworks shows and Independence Day celebrations this year. A full list of events is below:
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Grant
- Fireworks show at dusk on July 2.
- A pool party at The Cove will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. July 4.
- Fireworks show at dusk on July 2.
- The Stars & Stripes Independence Day Celebration will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. July 2. The outdoor event will feature food trucks, vendors, children’s activities and free live entertainment by the Todd Freeman Band.
- Fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. July 2.
- Outdoor food vendors will open at 6 p.m., followed by live entertainment from Jenna Pebworth and Shannon Raines beginning at 7 p.m.
- Fireworks show at dusk on July 3.
- DJ Derrick will host pool parties from 2 to 7 p.m. July 3-5.
- Free live entertainment will be offered on Cypress Lawn from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 4, featuring Lane Bricker.
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant
- Fireworks show at dusk on July 4. The display will be synchronized with a broadcast on KLBC radio.
- Hotel guests can attend a watch party at OASIS from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Children are welcome during watch party hours.
Fireworks safety is a top priority for the Choctaw Nation, and trained professionals are on hand to set off any pyrotechnics at CNO-hosted events. Do not bring your own fireworks to these shows, as it is strictly prohibited. I am hoping to see a lot of attendance at these shows this year! I am particularly excited to see how these drones work to enhance your Fourth of July celebrations. Drone shows are being held across the world, and it will be great to see how this show will tell the story of the Choctaw Nation and the birth of the United States.
The Choctaw Nation’s Emerging Aviation Technology Center has allowed the tribe entrance into the drone technology field with the opening of the unmanned drone center near Daisy, Okla. For more information on this program, check out cnoaa.com.
I hope that you will spend your Independence Day with the Choctaw Nation. Have a safe and happy celebration. I hope you can spend quality time with your family and enjoy this Fourth of July!
Yakoke and God Bless!