MOORE HAVEN – The annual Chalo Nitka Festival & Rodeo started March 3.

Started in 1948, this is one of Florida’s oldest continuous festivals - originally celebrating the paving of then Main Street in Moore Haven.  Meaning “Big Bass” in Seminole Indian, Chalo Nitka now showcases the local friendship with the Seminole tribe and is Glades County’s annual fair and festival. 

The festival parade will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 10. The parade route starts near the Caloosahatchee River and travels through the City of Moore Haven to the Chalo Nitka Festival grounds.

Saturday, March 4, the festival schedule includes:

• 7 a.m. 5K Run Registration (Moore Haven City Park)

• 7:30 a.m. 5K Run Begins (Moore Haven City Park)

• 7:30 a.m.-9 A.m. Pancake Breakfast (Moore Haven City Park)

• 10 a.m. Parade Begins

• 11 a.m. Gates Open / Midway Opens (Chalo Nitka Park)

• 11:30 a.m. Flag Raising—G.C.S.O. Color Guard / MHHS & West Glades Bands

​• 11:35 a.m. Welcome & Introduction of Grand Marshal

• 11:45 a.m. Introductions: Elected Officials

• • 11:50 a.m. Introductions: Chalo Nitka Royalty

Noon Country Rhythm Cloggers

​• 12:45 p.m. Singer

• 1 p.m. Seminole Dress Children’s and Adult’s Competition

• 1:30 p.m. Seminole Tribe Snake Show

• 2:15 p.m. MHES Dancing Dolls

• 2:45 p.m. Singer

​•3 p.m. Seminole Tribe Alligator Show

• 3:45 p.m. Music

• 7 p.m. Ranch Rodeo (Bronson Arena)

• 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Chalo Nitka Dance (Doyle Conner Building)​ featuring Jake Hair Band