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.
Local News
Choctaw festival features Wynonna
- Local News
-
-
Foul tasting water won't last
McAlester’s drinking water is safe to drink and the color, taste and smell will improve soon, according to Pete Stasiak McAlester city manager.
-
Alexix Futisha is named Little Miss Choctaw
McAlester’s Alexis Futisha has been named Little Miss Choctaw for District 11.
-
From the Capitol: Talk about fiscal irresponsibility
Will Rogers said, “I love a dog — he does nothing for political reasons.”
-
Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma signs lease in McAlester
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has found a location and will be moving to McAlester possibly as soon as July, according to Susan Tilkin director of communications for the organization.
-
Rescued horses doing well
Quarter horses rescued in July by the Pittsburg County Sheriffs department are doing well, according to Joel Kerns Pittsburg County Sheriff.
-
Lt. Gov. Lamb lauds region for Work Ready Certification
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb stopped by the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester on Friday to help celebrate the teaming of 15 Southeastern Oklahoma counties as Oklahoma’s Premier Certified Work Ready Region.
-
School board president steps down
A seat on McAlester Public School’s Board of Education has been vacated by President Anne Walker, who has left the position after 15 years, according to MPS Public Relations Specialist Debbie Watkins.
-
From the Capitol: OSP closing F cellhouse
Monday evening the governor put out a press release titled, “Budget Deal Reached: Fallin and Legislative Leaders Announce Fiscally Conservative Budget with Targeted Funding Increases.”
-
Three local men dismissed from grand theft charges
Three Pittsburg County men were dismissed from theft related charges Monday (May 21) in Pittsburg County District Court.
-
Gas prices down, police patrols up for Memorial weekend
Gas prices are down this Memorial weekend but the people expected to be on the road is up and so are the number of patrol officers on duty.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China
Beyonce Entertains the First Family
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Alleged Lego Thief Faces Felony Charges
Has Snooki Named Her Baby?
Heat Wave Warms Holiday Weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
