Early applications, new approach for Choctaw Princess Pageants

Choctaw Nation
Kelsey Brown

DURANT – With COVID-19 safeguards affecting so much in daily life, it should be no surprise that the Choctaw Princess Pageant has some changes in store for 2020. Even though the Miss America Scholarship Pageant and the Mississippi Choctaw Princess Pageant, among others, have been postponed for a year, a line of new Choctaw Royalty in southeast Oklahoma will be chosen this summer.

“The safety of our contestants and audience members is our first concern,” said Faye Self, director of the Choctaw Princess Pageant. “Guidelines have been put into place and contestants and their families will be required to follow them.” This includes social distancing and only two supporters allowed in the audience for each contestant.

Members of the Pageant Committee met with tribal management on May 20 to finalize details and align pageants with COVID-19 regulations from the CDC.

Another big change is that applications are due no later than June 15 for all district pageants. “No exceptions,” said Self. Applications may be picked up at local Choctaw Nation community centers and can be found online, downloaded, then turned in at centers. Even though centers may be closed for many activities, some staff members are still on hand to provide assistance.

District pageants will be held at Choctaw community centers.  The pageant schedule is:

• Tuesday, July 7, 6 p.m. for Wilburton and McAlester
• Thursday, July 9, 6 p.m., Poteau and Talihina
• Tuesday, July 14, 6 p.m., Wright City and Hugo
• Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m., Battiest and Idabel
• Tuesday, July 21, 6 p.m., Atoka and Coalgate
• Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m., Durant and Stigler

Details of the 2020 Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival are still under consideration. However, the first step for the annual Princess Pageant, which normally opens the festival, will be taken at Tushkahoma on Saturday, Aug. 1 with the district princess interviews:

• 11 a.m. for Senior Princesses
• 12:30 p.m. for Junior Princesses
• 2 p.m. for Little Misses

For more information, visit www.choctawnation.com or contact Pageant Director Faye Self at 800-522-6170, ext. 2192 or 2504 or fself@choctawnation.com.