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EVENT CALENDAR

EVENT CALENDAR

TBA
6:00 PM – Chalo Nitka Jr. Miss & Queen Pageant (Location TBA)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026
Chalo Nitka Bass Fishing Tournament (Alvin Ward Park / Boat Ramp)
Pre-register here
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026
6:00 PM – Pee Wee & Dairy Shows
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026
6:00 PM – Swine Show
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026
6:00 PM – Steer & Heifer Shows
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026
7:00 PM – Pee Wee Parade & Livestock Auction
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026
9:00 AM Small Fry Fishing Contest Registration
9:30 AM Small Fry Fishing Contest Begins
11:00 AM Kids Day (Chalo Nitka Park)
5-11 PM Midway Opens (Chalo Nitka Park)
7:00 PM Ranch Rodeo (Bronson Arena)
9:00PM – 1AM Chalo Nitka Dance (Doyle Conner Building)
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026
7:00 AM 5K Run Registration (Moore Haven City Park)
Pre-register here
7:30 AM 5K Run Begins (Moore Haven City Park – Tom Perry Park)
7:30 AM-9 AM Pancake Breakfast (Moore Haven City Park- Tom Perry Park)
10:00 AM Parade Begins
11:00 AM Gates Open / Midway Opens (Chalo Nitka Park)
11:30 AM Flag Raising—G.C.S.O. Color Guard / MHHS & West Glades Bands
​11:35 AM Welcome & Introduction of Grand Marshal
11:45 AM Introductions: Elected Officials
11:50 AM Introductions: Chalo Nitka Royalty
12:00 PM Country Rhythm Cloggers
​12:45 PM Live Entertainment By The Seminole Tribe of Florida
1:45 PM Clewiston Performing Art Center Dance Team
4:00 PM Music
7:00 PM Ranch Rodeo (Bronson Arena)
9:00PM – 1AM Chalo Nitka Dance (Doyle Conner Building)​
Schedule subject to change without notice.

EVENT LOCATIONS

CHALO NITKA BIG BASS TOURNAMENT

Chalo Nitka Big Bass Tournament
February 28, 2026

Seminole for Big Bass, Chalo Nitka has historically had a Bass Fishing tournament.  In the festival’s earliest years, this tournament was a week long.  Now, the Chalo Nitka Big Bass Tournament is a 1 day event held prior to the Chalo Nitka Festival and Rodeo so that everyone can join in.  Entry fees start at just $25 per person , with over $3000 in guaranteed cash prizes.  Sign up using our online application below.

CHALO NITKA FESTIVAL

Chalo Nitka Festival
March 7th, 2026 – $5 Admission, Kids (5-under) FREE
(Free with Current Year Chalo Nitka Shirt, or Traditional Seminole Attire)

The Chalo Nitka Festival is probably the most well known event during the week-long festivities.  The festival is located at Chalo Nitka Park (across from the school board office). You’re guaranteed to have a great time riding the midway rides, enjoying great local food, browsing traditional Seminole arts and crafts, or finding that perfect western accessory…  But why stop there?  The Chalo Nitka Festival features Live Entertainment, and much much more.  Chalo Nitka is more than your typical fair or festival, It’s Wild!

Admission to the festival is only $5! If you need directions, email chalonitkasecretary@gmail.com.  Wear traditional Seminole Indian attire or a current 2025 Chalo Nitka T-shirt and get FREE festival entry.

CHALO NITKA PARADE

Chalo Nitka Parade
March 7, 2026 – 10 a.m.

The Chalo Nitka Parade is a staple of Chalo Nitka.  A showcase of southern hospitality and unique floats, the Chalo Nitka Parade is the place to be before the fairgrounds open on Saturday morning.  Starting out with the Grand Marshall, the parade just keeps going.  Firetrucks, Floats, Bands, Swamp Buggies – you name it, this parade probably has it.  Stick around until the end when the local cowboys and cowgirls finish off the parade riding their horses as they relax Chalo Nitka style before the ranch rodeo later in the evening!
You’ll have your feel of candy too as just about everyone on a float throws some along the parade route!

CHALO NITKA RODEO

Chalo Nitka Ranch Rodeo
March 6th and March 7th, 2026 @ 7 p.m.
​Admission: Adults $15, Youth (6-12) $5, Kids (5-under) FREE

The annual Chalo Nitka Ranch Rodeo is put on by the Glades County Youth Livestock organization.  The rodeo is on Friday and Saturday night and is the biggest fundraiser for the organization which supports youth events and activities throughout Glades County including sports, clubs, and also the annual livestock shows and sale.  The Chalo Nitka Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights of Chalo Nitka week are located at Bronson Arena, across from the Moore Haven Post Office.

The Chalo Nitka Ranch Rodeo is sure to keep you entertained as you watch local cowboys and cowgirls compete.  You’ll be comfortable as well, as Bronson Arena has undergone numerous renovations over the last few years including the Arena being fully covered, brand new bleachers, and even in-arena upgrades so that our cowboys/cowgirls have more room to strut their stuff. ​ Contact the Glades County Extension office at (863) 946-0244 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCYLS/.

Chalo Nitka Rodeo

Chalo nitka Festival
chalo nitka 5k registration

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