Local News
Choctaw festival features Wynonna
The Choctaw Labor Day Festival at Tuskahoma is once again offering concerts over the long Labor Day weekend, with the shows featuring some of the top names in country and contemporary Christian music.
Headliners include Wynonna Judd on Friday night, Gretchen Wilson on Saturday night and the contemporary Christian groups the Crabb Family and Building 429 on Sunday night.
Once again, the festival is open to everyone and the music is offered free of charge to those who attend the event. Although there are bleachers under a covered pavilion at the Choctaw Amphitheatre on the festival grounds, the audience frequently spills over on both sides. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so those who attend may want to bring a lawn chair to be assured of a seat.
Friday night’s concert lineup begins with the Randy Rogers Band set to start at 6 p.m., followed by Billy Currington at 8 p.m.
Judd is set to start her set at 10 p.m. First known as part of the popular singing duo The Judds before embarking on a solo career, her early chart-toppers include “No One Else on Earth.” Judd’s most recent album, “Sing: Chapter 1,” is a tribute to her 25 years in entertainment, covering songs by artists as diverse as Hank Williams and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Saturday’s concert begins with an opening set by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at 6 p.m. The band, which started in 1966, is well known for its classic version of “Mr. Bojangles” and its groundbreaking series of albums, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” The group’s new album, “Speed of Life,” is set to be released on Sept. 22. Other hits include “Fishin’ in the Dark” and “Long Hard Road.”
Neal McCoy, a festival-favorite who has performed at the festival several times in the past, is scheduled to begin a return performance at 8 p.m.
“Redneck Woman” Wilson is scheduled to begin at 10. Wilson is also expected to perform her new single “If I Could Do It All Again” during her set.
Sunday will have gospel music throughout most of the day.
The Crabb Family, which had a tremendous reception at last year’s festival, is back again this year for a return performance set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Building 429, a Christian music trio, is set to start its performance at 8:30 Sunday night. The group became widely known in 2004, with its breakout single, “Glory Defined.” Other recordings include “Iris to Iris” and “Rise.”
The festival is billed as a family event, with free carnival rides also offered on the festival grounds.
In addition, there will be a number of food vendors and approximately 100 arts and crafts booths on the festival grounds.
Other events include sports and games.
Also this year, Choctaw Nation employees are conducting a food drive to help fill food pantries to those in need in Southeastern Oklahoma. Donations of canned food can be dropped off at the entrances to the parking areas for the Labor Day Festival.
To get to Tuskahoma from McAlester, take U.S. Highway 270 east to Hartshorne. Continue straight east as the highway will become State Highway 1 just outside the Hartshorne city limits.
Continue to follow Highway 1 until arriving at State Highway 2 and then take a right turn.
Continue on State Highway 2 until reaching U.S. Highway 271.
Turn left, (east) and follow the highway to the festival site.
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