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PATHFINDER FALL / WINTER 2021 ChoctawCountry.com Indulge your curiosity. HALITO! [Hello] It is with great pride that I welcome you to Choctaw Country! When the air starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change, I find myself getting excited. In Choctaw Country, there are so many wonderful things to look forward to during the fall and winter seasons! Take a brisk (or long) hike through the stunning fall foliage, find some of the greatest hunting and fishing spots for miles around, or treat yourself during perfect camping temperatures to a spectacular view of the stars. Whether you are looking for a peaceful retreat or a weekend adventure, our community members are here to welcome you with open arms and true Southern hospitality. At every turn, you will find history, nature, excitement and, most importantly, culture. So, come experience the Choctaw Nation and see for yourselves! Chi Pisa La Chike! [Be seeing you] Chief Gary Batton 3 Stray from the beaten path. CONTENTS EVENTS CAMPING & LODGING 6 24 SOCIAL MEDIA HIKING 9 26 COFFEE SHOP STOPS FISHING 10 28 SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH HUNTING 12 30 BREWERIES/DISTILLERIES/ MOTORCYCLE TOURING WINERIES 32 14 STARGAZING CULTURAL CENTER 34 16 CASINOS MUSEUMS 36 18 TRAVEL PLAZAS FOLIAGE SIGHTSEEING 38 20 INFORMATION LISTING STATE PARKS/LAKE ACTIVITIES 40 22 Have big fun in a small town. Visit ChoctawCountry.com EVENTS SEPTEMBER 18 / BUTTERFIELD BIKER BASH OCTOBER 1-2 / ROCK THE EQUINOX The now famous Butterfield Trail was the main route for Calling all metal heads! Rock the Equinox returns to Lake pioneers traveling west to search for gold, adventure and a better John Wells in Stigler this year with a huge lineup of local and life. While the old trail has been replaced with modern paved regional rock, hard rock and metal bands. All ages are welcome, roads, and the stagecoaches and wagons of yesteryear have all and there will be plenty of food and fun for the whole family. but gone away, you can still feel the same thrill of winding your With free admission and camping, you can make a weekend way through the picturesque landscapes and majestic mountain of it without putting too much strain on your wallet. ranges in Latimer County. Historical markers are placed at five original station locations, so be sure to stop for selfies! OCTOBER 1-2 / HONOBIA BIGFOOT FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 22 / AUTUMNAL EQUINOX AND DECEMBER 21 The forests in Choctaw Country are some of the country’s / WINTER SOLSTICE WALKS leading locations for Bigfoot sightings, and Bigfoot enthusiasts The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center boasts the only prehistoric from all over the country gather in Honobia each year to Native American archaeological site in Oklahoma that is open celebrate, share stories and learn more about the mysterious to the public. The Caddoan people who lived in the area from creature that has eluded us for generations. In addition to the 900-1450 AD built 12 mounds along the Arkansas River, some of popular Bigfoot Conference, the Honobia Bigfoot Festival also which line up with solstice and equinox sunsets. Learn about the offers helicopter rides, arts and crafts, children’s activities, live importance of these mounds and their relationship to the changing music and storytelling. There’s truly something for everyone, of the seasons, as well as Caddoan life on a special guided tour so bring the whole crew and watch out for Bigfoot! of the grounds with a park archaeologist who will also thrill you with tales of unusual happenings associated with the mounds. OCTOBER 2 / HARD TIMES FESTIVAL Venture into the small town of Hartshorne for the Hard Times SEPTEMBER 24-25 / KIAMICHI OWA-CHITO FESTIVAL Festival and be transported back into the 1930s. This festival OF THE FOREST celebrates the enduring spirit of those who survived the trying years This annual celebration of the forest highlights the beauty and of the Depression. Enjoy cheap eats like burgers and homemade pies heritage of Choctaw Country. Held in Beavers Bend State as you share the streets with gangsters and various citizens in period Park over multiple days, the Owa-Chito Festival offers a wide dress and participate in old-fashioned relay races, contests and more. variety of activities for people of all ages. Spend a day – or In addition to these festivities, enjoy music by local artists throughout more – enjoying the crisp fall weather while you cheer on the day. In the evening, attend the Poor Man’s Supper to feast on your favorite fishing team or peruse the art and photography beans and cornbread or join the fun at the annual Roadhouse Dance. available for sale. Be sure to stick around in the evening for main stage entertainment and gospel night performances. OCTOBER 9-10 / RUNEFEST Don your most creative Renaissance costume and head over OCTOBER 1-2 / IDABEL FALL FESTIVAL to RuneFest, held annually in Heavener Runestone Park. Stroll One of the best parts of the fall season is loading up the family through a living Viking encampment and then enjoy a giant smoked and heading out to the community fall festival. With plenty of turkey leg for lunch while you listen to musical stories and folktales food vendors, arts and crafts booths and live entertainment, from the Celtic tradition. After testing your strength and wit at the Idabel Fall Festival will make for a special weekend. Try your the Scottish highland games, relax with an old-time homemade luck at the games and make some new friends at the petting zoo. root beer or fresh squeezed lemonade. Round out your day by There’s plenty of fun to be had and good memories to be made. shopping for unique arts and crafts made by a variety of Renaissance artisans. At RuneFest, time travel is easier than you think. 7 EVENTS (CONT.) OCTOBER 15-16 / POTEAU BALLOON FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 12-13 / THE CATMASTERS LAKE TEXOMA Is there anything more beautiful than a field full of colorful hot air FISHING TOURNAMENT balloons glowing against a brilliant autumn sunset? Bring the whole What could be more relaxing than spending a brisk November day family out to the Poteau Balloon Fest this year for an action- out on beautiful Lake Texoma in your trusty boat angling for catfish? packed experience, with pet shows, arts and crafts, ATV races, The Catmasters tournament will return to Lake Texoma this year kites and so much more. Admission gets you into most shows and for one of the largest catfishing tournaments in the country, so attractions for both days, but for an extra charge, you can take a load up your tackle and get ready for a good time with some great ride in a helicopter, monster truck or a tethered hot air balloon. friends! Be sure your fishing license is up to date before you go. OCTOBER 16 / ARCHAEOLOGY DAY AT SPIRO MOUNDS NOVEMBER 12-14 / BEAVERS BEND FOLK FESTIVAL AND October is Archaeology Month, and what better way to CRAFT SHOW celebrate the history and heritage of the area than visiting the Each year, thousands of people flock to Beavers Bend State Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center for Archaeology Day! The Park to enjoy the fall foliage and attend this festival honoring day is packed with interactive projects, lectures, workshops, folk culture of all types. The three-day event features Celtic and guided walks and many more engaging activities. Learn the art early American music, turn-of-the-century craft demonstrations, of flint knapping from expert stone tool makers and marvel scrumptious food and much more. Shop for unique, hand-crafted at the collections of prehistoric artifacts found at the site. holiday gifts or grab a bottle of Oklahoma wine from a local vintner. This fun-filled day has something for people of all ages. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Forest Heritage Center to learn about the history of forestry in the area and admire OCTOBER 23 / ROD AND CUSTOM FEST CAR SHOW the ornate wood carvings stationed throughout the grounds. Cool temps and hot rods – who could ask for anything more? How about arts and crafts booths, live music, parades DECEMBER 4-5 / CHOCTAW NATION ANNUAL POW WOW and lots of yummy food? If that sounds right up your alley, There really is nothing quite like feeling the beat of the drum cruise over to Stigler to see rows upon rows of some of echoing in your chest like a heartbeat as the Grand Entry begins, the finest antique, classic and custom vehicles around. Bring and the dancers – elegant, proud and graceful – make their the kids for pony rides and Lego car races and stick around way around the arena. Each year, pow wow competitors and in the evening for cruise night and the street dance. spectators from all over the United States, and even some from Canada, gather at the Choctaw Event Center to celebrate the NOVEMBER 6 / TALIHINA FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL rich heritage and culture of Native American and First Nations Each year when autumn arrives, Mother Nature puts on a tribes through music, dance and craftsmanship. Wander through spectacular show in Talihina. The fall foliage is widely renowned aisles of Native arts and crafts for sale or just sit back and enjoy as some of the most beautiful in the country, and the annual the dancing with a cold drink and a satisfying snack. Come Talihina Fall Foliage Festival aims to celebrate that. Offering a expecting to be inspired by the atmosphere of friendship and fun. good, old-fashioned great time, the festival features pony rides for the kids, a Wild West reenactment, live entertainment, arts and crafts and a whole heap of good food.