TUSCUMBIA — One of the Southeast’s most authentic celebrations of Native
American heritage returns to historic Spring Park on September 11–12, 2026, when the
Oka Kapassa – Return to Cold Water Festival welcomes visitors for music,
storytelling, traditional arts, authentic cuisine, and living history. This is the festival’s 24 th
year.
Admission is free, and the festival offers educational experiences and family-friendly
activities that honor the Indigenous peoples who once called North Alabama home while
commemorating the remarkable relationship between the citizens of Tuscumbia and
Native Americans during one of the nation’s most difficult periods of history.
Friday Evening Opening Concert
Festival activities begin 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.
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.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, enjoy the cooler evening
temperatures, and experience the music and fellowship before returning to the park for
Saturday’s full festival.
In the event of rain, Friday’s concert will move to the Roundhouse at the Tuscumbia
Depot.
Saturday Festival Highlights
Festival activities begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 12, in Spring Park, with
the colorful Grand Entry taking place at 11:00 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.
Authentic Native American Foods
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.
A Festival Rooted in History
The Oka Kapassa Festival exists because of a remarkable chapter in American history
that unfolded in Tuscumbia.
“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.
As part of the weekend’s living history experience, the Pioneer Log Cabin on Dickson
Street will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, interpreting life in
Tuscumbia between 1815 and 1830.
National Recognition
The Oka Kapassa Festival has earned recognition as one of the nation’s most authentic
Native American cultural festivals and has been honored as a Top Twenty Event in the
Southeast.
Education remains central to the festival’s mission. Each year, school programs,
teacher workshops, and on-site presentations presented prior to the festival give more
than 1,000 elementary students opportunities to learn about Native American history
and culture.
Festival Information
The festival concludes at 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn
chairs. Admission is free.
In case of inclement weather, Saturday’s festival will move to the Roundhouse at the
Tuscumbia Depot.
The Oka Kapassa Festival is made possible through the support of the Alabama State
Council on the Arts, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, Tennessee Valley
Authority, Colbert County Community Development Commission, Poarch Band of
Creek Indians, City of Tuscumbia, Colbert County Commission, Alabama
Supports the Arts License Tag, and with promotional support from the Alabama
Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and Colbert County Tourism. Festival
operations are overseen by the Oka Kapassa Festival Board of Directors.
For additional information, call Colbert County Tourism at 256-383-0783, visit
www.okakapassafestival.org, or follow Oka Kapassa Festival – Return to Cold
Water on Facebook.
Media Release/Ninon Parker
Media Representative, Oka Kapassa Festival
