Honoring a Living Legacy: Celebrating 5 Years at the Choctaw Cultural Center

When the Choctaw Cultural Center first opened its doors on July 23, 2021, it fulfilled a vision decades in the making: a place where over 14,000 years of Chahta history, language, and living traditions could be shared with the world.

From July 23 through July 25, the center in Durant, Oklahoma, is hosting its 5th Anniversary Celebration. Whether you are a long-time supporter or planning your first visit, this three-day event offers an ideal opportunity to experience Choctaw culture firsthand through food, art, sports, and storytelling.

What’s Happening Across the 3-Day Celebration

The weekend is packed with immersive activities spread across the 100,000-square-foot facility and its outdoor Living Village. Highlights include:

🎨 Art Market & Live Demonstrations

Meet contemporary Choctaw artists, beadworkers, and woodcarvers showcasing original hand-crafted pieces. Browse unique works at the Art Market and watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts.

🥍 Stickball Matches & Clinics

Head out to the Living Village to experience stickball (kabucha), one of North America's oldest field sports. Guests can participate in stickball clinics during the day and catch competitive tournament play as the sun goes down.

🖼️ New Exhibit Openings & Curator Talks

Be among the first to walk through the newest gallery addition, "Where We Gather," alongside curator-led tours through the permanent Chahta Nowvt Aya (Choctaw Journey) exhibits.

🍳 Hands-On Cooking & Craft Workshops

Learn traditional culinary techniques in the center’s cooking classroom, featuring live frybread and traditional chocolate-making workshops. Additional hands-on classes will cover drum-making and traditional pottery.

Event Essentials

Visitor Tip: Give yourself at least 3–4 hours if you plan to walk the outdoor living village trails, take a guided gallery tour, and catch a stickball demonstration.