It’s almost time for the Choctaw Labor Day Festival at Tvshka Homma, the Capitol of the Choctaw Nation.
As always, the schedule is packed with events for visitors to enjoy faith, family, culture, and entertainment.
Festivities begin on Friday, August 29, and last through Sunday, August 31, with activities for all ages to ensure three full days of fun.
Camping
RV and tent campers will use the same check-in gate to enter the festival grounds. The gate opens for tents Saturday, August 23, at 10:00 a.m. During the festival, it will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The general store and icehouse will open each day for all your camping needs, and the new icehouse will be at the amphitheater concession stand.
Safety Tips
With large crowds, it is essential to take all precautions when it comes to safety.
In case of emergency, the first aid tent will be located near the Capitol Museum.
Temperatures during Labor Day in Southeastern Oklahoma can be extreme. Visitors are encouraged to dress accordingly for warm weather and wear sunscreen.
Staying hydrated is essential to preventing heat-related illness. Free water stations will be located throughout the festival as indicated on the map above.
There are air-conditioned areas at the festival where you can escape the heat, including the Capitol Museum, Cafeteria, Council House, Arts and Crafts Building, Healthy Living Expo, Information Tent and Chapel.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by the children’s wristband stations to register children (ages 12 and under) for safety wristbands containing emergency contact information. Lost children will be taken to the Lost Child Station, open from 8 a.m. to midnight. Each day, children who are registered and receive a wristband will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card.
The Choctaw Lighthorse Police will be present at the festival to ensure the safety of attendees.
Officers will be positioned throughout the grounds, and their headquarters will be located behind the cafeteria as indicated on the map.
Special Events
Chief Gary Batton will welcome festival goers at 5:00 p.m. Friday at the amphitheater, with the swearing-in ceremony for Council members immediately following.
After the ceremony, the 2025 Choctaw Princess Pageant will take place starting at 6:00 p.m. Find more information about this year’s pageant and candidates on page 11.
This year, the Capitol Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary. The museum always has something new to see, whether it is new exhibits or handcrafted items for sale in the gift shop.
As part of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebration, three bronze busts created by Choctaw Artist Jane Semple-Umsted will be unveiled at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
These busts honor Chief Gregory E. Pyle, Tribal Chaplain Bertram Bobb, and former District 4 Council Member Delton Cox.
Culture
Many cultural events will occur throughout the festival, including the annual Choctaw Princess Pageant, a stickball exhibition, Gourd Dancing, and Choctaw dancing on the Capitol Lawn.
Don’t miss the activities at Choctaw Village, featuring fun educational experiences, such as cornhusk doll making, Choctaw dancing and hymns, storytelling and Choctaw language lessons.
A full list of events can be found on page 12.
Sports
The festival is known for its high-action competitions, and this year’s events are no exception.
On Friday, the stickball tournament starts at 5:00 p.m., followed by the fast-pitch softball tournament at 7:00 p.m.
On Sunday, there will be exhibition stickball games from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Capitol Lawn, and participants of all ages are welcome to play.
Check out the full schedule on page 12 for a full list of sporting competitions.
Carnival and Dining
A visit to the festival would not be complete without savoring the delicious food offered throughout the grounds. The cafeteria will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, providing plenty of dining space and air conditioning. There will also be many great food trucks on site, ensuring a variety of options.
For thrill-seekers and carnival game enthusiasts, the carnival will be open from noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Entertainment
On Saturday, entertainment for this year’s festival is a Red Dirt/Texas Country music fan’s dream. Stoney LaRue will take the stage at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Josh Abbott Band at 9:00 p.m. Choctaw Artist, The Close, will open the evening with their genre-bending harmonies at 6:00 p.m.
Faith
Faith is important in the Choctaw Nation, especially during Labor Day celebrations.
Join us for traditional Choctaw hymns at the Choctaw Village on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday, the Children’s Service at the Chapel starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by the regular worship service at 11:00 a.m.
The annual gospel singing at the amphitheater is at noon. In the evening, the main stage will feature performances from Gold City at 6:00 p.m., Katy Nichole at 7:00 p.m., and Cain at 8:30 p.m..
Information
The information tent, located near the cafeteria, will be open daily to assist visitors in locating various events and information about the festival, as well as tribal programs and services.
Events, times and locations are always subject to change. For updates, visit the Labor Day website or follow the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma on social media, including the official Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival Facebook and Instagram pages.
