Chief Batton’s State of the Nation to Broadcast at 10 a. m. Sept. 1
The 2025 Choctaw Labor Day Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year in southeast Oklahoma. This year’s festival runs Friday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Aug. 31 on the historic Choctaw Nation Capitol Grounds at Tvshka Homma. Chief Gary Batton’s State of the Nation Address will cap off the holiday weekend with a broadcast on the Choctaw Nation YouTube channel starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1.
The festival schedule will include the following entertainment lineup: The Saturday, Aug. 30 concert will be headlined by the Josh Abbott Band. Opening acts will be Stoney LaRue, and Choctaw artists The Close, and the Raelyn Nelson Band.
The Sunday, Aug. 31 concert will feature Gold City, Cain, and Katy Nichole.
Popular activities will return, including cultural demonstrations and children’s games in the Living Village; sports tournaments from softball to dominoes to stickball; arts and crafts sales; a carnival; gospel singing; worship services; food trucks, and much more.
A special event this year is a recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Choctaw Capitol Museum. Chief Batton and others will launch the celebration Friday, Aug. 29 on the steps of the Council House-turned-museum that was built in 1884.
In the Amphitheater on Friday evening, Chief Batton will welcome attendees to the festival at the Choctaw Princess Pageant.
Attendance and parking are complimentary to everyone. Vendors and overnight campers must register in advance. For information and updates, visit the festival schedule website https://chocta.ws/ldschedule.
