OKMULGEE, Okla. – The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) held their annual Fall Fest event on campus Sept. 13. The event was hosted for the current students, staff and faculty. There were different activities, food and live entertainment.
Some of the activities included war whoop and lulu, tug-of-war, free throw, a three-point contest, and a photo booth. The event also featured a blood drive. Student organizations set up resource booths across the festival as well. The music artist Wotko (Mvskoke) was seen performing live entertainment.
CMN Dean of Student Affairs Krystal Wind (Mvskoke) mentioned that the event acts as an annual back-to-school bash hosted in the fall. According to Wind, it started out as a regular cookout, then grew into a festival.
“The goal of fall fest is to bring all of our campus together and give them the chance to mingle with faculty, staff and other students,” Wind said. “It’s just a chance to bring everyone together and have fun.”
The event gave out free Fall Fest t-shirts. This year the Fall Fest planning committee chose to go with a stickball logo due to the sport’s popularity. Former CMN student Tehillah Wind designed this year’s logo.
The festival’s activities were chosen by the committee as well. Every year the committee tries to switch up the event’s activities to keep it new and exciting for festival attendees. New activities this year included the free-throw contest and three-point contest. Cornhole returned this year by popular demand from students.
The Renovations Salon and Barbershop in Okmulgee provided free haircuts for students and staff at the festival. The business has partnered with CMN to provide this service for the past four years. According to Wind, their efforts are greatly appreciated.
This year’s live entertainment was introduced by CMN’s recruiter Thomas Berryhill. “Wotko seems to have an upbeat positive message and he spreads awareness about culture. He performs the language into his music and we felt like our students would like him,” Wind said.
Prizes were handed out for winners from basketball and blanket competitions. Door prizes were also given away that included mini refrigerators, electronics, and dorm comfort items. According to Wind, this year’s door prizes were comprised of items purchased by the college and items donated by local businesses.
“I would like to thank the planning committee and all of the local businesses that donate and the salon for coming out for the past few years,” Wind said. “We hope that it brings everyone together and hope it kicks off the school year in a good way.”
Student’s Experience
Jessica Burgess (Mvskoke) is from California and recently moved to Okmulgee this year. “It’s been really nice that the event gives a lot of opportunities to what else the school has, I like the balance of the events and how there’s kind of something for everyone,” Burgess said. One of her favorite booths was CMN’s Health and Wellness where she received a medicine bag.
Jayden Shawnee (Mvskoke/Shawnee), Evanna Flores (Mvskoke), Madison Bharjo (Mvskoke/Seminole) and Josh McNac (Mvskoke) all participated in the event. This year marked their first time attending the festival, they agreed the event was a blast.
McNac, Bharjo and Flores explored everything the festival had to offer. They visited the different resource booths, donated blood, received free haircuts and took pictures at the photo booth.
McNac enjoyed visiting CMN’s Health and Wellness Resource Booth. Bharjo enjoyed the free items the festival had to offer, as well as the food truck.
McNac and Bharjo also competed on a team together in the cornhole tournament. Everyone participated in the tug-of-war, “I think the tug-of-war was pretty fun,” Shawnee said. Shawnee also competed in the free throw and three-point competitions.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for students and the teachers to interact with each other. It brings more opportunities for students as well to interact with people and get to know more students, ” Flores said.
Even though McNac is a new student, he is already finding community and fellowship with events like Fall Fest.
“I would like to say enroll and come join because this is so fun. I have had the best time and it’s only been three weeks in,” McNac said.
For more information, contact CMN at 918-549-2800. To keep up to date on other events, follow their Facebook page.
omg I love this!!!! such a great time for new and old students to come together and have a good time!!!