OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – According to Principal Chief David Hill, the Muscogee Nation Festival is projected to attract around 40,000 visitors during the last weekend of June after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Tourism and Events Manager Ryan Logan, the last few months before the festival are typically busy months for him.
Logan was able to talk about the Festival on an April 5 Mvskoke Live Wire, then gave another update on an episode of Mvskoke Radio on April 27.
Unfortunately, Logan could not yet give an update on entertainment but they hope to announce that mid-May.
Logan and his department want to make this years festival the biggest yet.
“When we get to June 23, it will be three years since we had our last festival,” Logan said.
People can expect to see changes in the Festival’s agenda and operations, which are results of COVID, according to Logan.
The most significant change might be the loss of loved ones over the course of the pandemic.
“We are trying to find ways to not only honor those folks but to unite us,” he said.
Those who have attended before might remember the social stomp dance that takes place the Thursday evening before the festival weekend that has been led by Mekko David Proctor.
Proctor unfortunately passed away in May 2021.
Logan said he might shed tears having to fill the empty spots of those who have passed.
He claimed to have confirmation for the next dance leader to fill the shoes of Proctor, but did not provide the name as to who that would be.
Festival news can change daily according to Logan, specifically entertainment.
“I’ve booked someone happily on a Friday,” Logan said, “and get a notification on that following Monday that they have pulled out.”
To keep in the good graces of the entertainment world, Logan does not release any names until mid-May per contractual agreements.
“Our entertainment contracts are open-ended for up to 30 days,” he said.
The Festival will include 21 events aside from the stomp dance and entertainment that will take place over the course of the weekend celebration that will kick off with the Miss Muscogee Nation Scholarship Pageant on June 4.
Other activities will include Living Legends Ceremony, the All-Indian Rodeo, a parade, carnival rides, various sports tournaments, cultural exhibitions, arts and crafts, food vendors, with more announcements to come.
Many at-large citizens travel from all over the country back to the Reservation’s capital city to participate in the cultural fun.
For Logan, the Festival is the Muscogee People’s way of celebrating prosperity and sharing it with communities near and far.
Mvskoke Media will report on Muscogee Nation Festival updates as they come available.
Follow the Muscogee Nation Festival Facebook Page for the fastest update.
Interviews with Logan can be found on the Mvskoke Vision and Mvskoke Radio YouTube channels.
