By Tony Choate, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

Mark your calendars, the 48th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and the 20th Annual Chickasaw Festival will take place September 27 through October 4 in Tishomingo, the historic capital of the Chickasaw Nation, with events also scheduled in Ada, the Kullihoma stomp grounds, and Sulphur.

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

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

Immediately following Governor's "State of the Nation" address, hundreds will line Tishomingo's Main Street to view the festival parade. The parade line-up includes bands from many area schools and floats representing a wide variety of organizations and children's groups from across the southern Oklahoma.

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

Saturday's festival events and activities are conducted throughout Tishomingo on the grounds of the historic Chickasaw Capitol, Pennington Park, Murray State College 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 ground's west lot. Local and professional singers and groups will be on stage to entertain the crowd.

Several events for kids and families are scheduled throughout the festival week.

These include the Chickasaw Princess Pageant in Ada, the Junior Olympics at Tishomingo High School, softball tournaments, 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 Kullihoma.

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.

The children's activities are available Tuesday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4 from noon to 5 p.m.

For complete listing of event, .

For more information, contact the Chickasaw Festival office at (580) 371-2040 or 1 (800) 593-3356.