Choctaw Indian Fair

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Choctaw Indian Fair

Begins first Wednesday after Fourth of July

This is a four-day annual gathering of the Mississippi band of Choctaw Indians. Held since 1949 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, it features—besides dances, crafts exhibits, and pageantry—the Choctaw Stickball World Series. Choctaw stickball, the forerunner of lacrosse, is played with long-handled sticks with pouches at the ends for carrying and pitching a leather ball. It is called the "granddaddy of games" and is thought to be the oldest field sport in America. More than 20,000 visitors usually attend the fair.

CONTACTS:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
101 Industrial Rd.
Philadelphia, MS 39350
601-656-5251
www.choctaw.org

SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1984, p. 102
IndianAmer-1989, p. 242

References in periodicals archive ?

Celebrate heritage with friends and neighbors at the 68th annual Choctaw Indian Fair.

July & August

The 67th annual Choctaw Indian Fair will celebrate how "The Choctaw Spirit Lives On.

July & August

Travel to the historic Choctaw Indian Reservation to celebrate the 66th annual Choctaw Indian Fair.

July & August events

Learn about the rich culture and spirit of the Choctaw at the family-friendly Choctaw Indian Fair.

July events

Step into the past and experience storytelling in motion at the 59th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair, a festival held in honor of the ancient celebration of the ripening of the first corn.

A to Z guide to family fun in Mississippi: treasure the summertime and create wonderful memories for children of all ages without leaving the state

Suddenly struck by the fact that I've attended neither the Choctaw Indian Fair nor the fabled House Party, I thought, "How can I call myself a Mississippian if I've never seen these things?

Homecoming

Native American crafts demonstration at the Choctaw Indian Fair (above)

July & August: please call the number following each description to verify dates and times, as events are subject to change

The two most famous annual events in Neshoba County are the 57-year-old Choctaw Indian Fair, celebrating Choctaw culture, including crafts, stickball games, dancing, and entertainment, and the Neshoba County Fair; the two are held back-to-back in July.

Touches of tradition

To celebrate this friendship, Mississippians are invited to attend the Choctaw Indian Fair, held on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation in Choctaw, July 9-12.