FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
Experience Native American Culture and Traditions at the Oka Kapassa Festival
Decatur, Ala. (August 7, 2026) – A celebration of the culture and traditions of the indigenous people who once inhabited North Alabama is planned next month offering free family fun, authentic Indian food and hands-on demonstrations in downtown Tuscumbia. Oka Kapassa: Return to Coldwater Native American Festival is set for September 11-12, 2026, with activities taking place in and around beautiful Spring Park in downtown Tuscumbia.
Now in its 24th year, the Oka Kapassa: Return to Coldwater Native American Festival kicks off on Friday, September 11 with a special pre-festival evening of music and cultural conversation. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., a select group of Native American artisans and craftspeople will open their displays, offering visitors an opportunity to meet demonstrators before Saturday’s festival.
At 6:00 p.m., the festival preview will feature nationally acclaimed musician Arvel Bird (Paiute), who will share selections from his signature “Celtic Indian” performances of fiddle and Native flute. The evening program will also include Chief Louis Johnson (Seminole), who will pair storytelling with the Native flute. Members of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Cherokee Nations will join the gathering to share stories, traditions and cultural insights. In the event of rain, Friday’s concert will move to the Roundhouse at the Tuscumbia Depot.
As a tribute to the kindness shown by the citizens of Tuscumbia during the Indian Removal era, festival organizers will host a supper for participating tribal demonstrators. The public is invited to enjoy ham and white beans, available for purchase. Park concessions will also be available.
On Saturday, September 12, festivities get underway in Spring Park at 10 a.m. with grand entry set for 11 a.m. Throughout the day, visitors will experience:
• Traditional and fancy dance demonstrations by Chickasaw, Cherokee and Choctaw dancers
• Impressive performances of “Hoop Dancing” (Alabama-Cushatta)
• Storytelling and native music
• Basketry, beadwork, and other traditional crafts by accomplished Native artisans
• Hands-on cultural activities for all ages
• Living history demonstrations
The Southern Pine Singers (Choctaw) will provide the traditional drum throughout the festival.
Food has long been one of the festival’s most popular attractions. Several respected Native American cooks will prepare dishes rooted in generations of family tradition, including buffalo stew, buffalo burgers, fry bread, Indian tacos, roasted corn, fish, alligator and a pork and hominy dish.
As part of the weekend’s living history experience, the Pioneer Log Cabin on Dickson Street will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, interpreting life in Tuscumbia between 1815 and 1830.
The festival concludes at 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs both days. In case of inclement weather, Saturday’s festival will move to the Roundhouse at the Tuscumbia Depot. For more information, call Colbert County Tourism at 800.344.0783 or 256.383.0783, visit www.okakapassafestival.org or follow the Oka Kapassa Festival-Return to Coldwater Facebook page.
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About the Oka Kapassa: Return to Coldwater Native American Festival:
“Oka Kapassa,” meaning “Cold Water” in the Muscogee language spoken by the Chickasaw, refers to the Big Spring that remains the centerpiece of Spring Park. When European settlers arrived around 1815, they were welcomed by Chickasaw Chief Tuscumbia (”Tash ka-ambi”), for whom the town was later named. Less than twenty years following, during the forced removal of Native Americans to western territories along what became known as the Trail of Tears, thousands passed through Tuscumbia. Historical records show that local churches and citizens brought food, clothing, blankets, and other necessities to the sick and weary gathered near Big Spring. The only documented account of this compassion published during the Removal appeared in a newspaper, in which Chief Chilly McIntosh wrote: “As long as our Nation remains upon this earth, we will recollect Tuscumbia.” It is this shared history of compassion, respect, and remembrance that inspires the Oka Kapassa Festival each year.
About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
The official destination marketing organization for Visit North Alabama, AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.9 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of attractions, festivals, accommodations, chambers of commerce, convention & visitors bureaus, communities, campgrounds, golf courses, restaurants, local retailers and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.
