The Choctaw Cultural Center’s Choctaw- Irish Friendship Festival has grown to two full days of activities for 2025.
The unique festival runs the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Choctaw Cultural Center, 1919 Hina Hanta Way in Durant.
The festival, now in its second year, commemorates the historic connection between the two nations. Ties binding the Choctaw and the Irish began in 1847, when the Chahta people, who had little to share after the tragedy of the Trail of Tears, raised $170, equal to over $6,200 in today’s money. The funds were donated to the Irish, who were suffering through the Great Famine. The Choctaw gift is credited with saving thousands of lives, and the Irish have never forgotten the kindness.
The family-friendly event at the Cultural Center will include an art market featuring registered Choctaw artists, a curator talk, children’s activities, and frybread and other traditional foodmaking classes.
Demonstrations are scheduled for traditional weapons use, Choctaw stickball players, traditional social dances, and demonstrations in silversmithing and blacksmithing.
Admissioniscomplimentaryformembers of the Choctaw Nation and people with museum memberships. General admission is $12, with discounts for active military, veterans, college students, senior citizens, citizens of other tribes, children and Choctaw Nation associates. For times and updates, visit https:// chocta.ws/irish-friendship-fest.
The Choctaw Cultural Center is dedicated to exploring, preserving, and showcasing the culture and history of the Choctaw people. The exhibits are immersive and told from the Choctaw perspective – honoring the physical and spiritual journey of the Choctaw people, the “Chahta Nowvt Aya.” Located in Durant, Oklahoma, the Choctaw Cultural Center includes over 100,000 square feet of rich, living exhibitions, a vast Living Village, classrooms, a theater, café and retail that combined, bring the Chahta spirit of faith, family and culture to life! For more information, visit www.choctawculturalcenter. com.
