Glades County hosts Chalo Nitka Festival

Posted 2/24/22

Chalo Nitka brings rodeo, parade and festival.

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Glades County hosts Chalo Nitka Festival

The Chalo Nitka Festival celebrates both the pioneers and the Seminole Tribe.
The Chalo Nitka Festival celebrates both the pioneers and the Seminole Tribe.
Photo by Tanner Huysman
Posted

MOORE HAVEN – Glades County will host the annual Chalo Nitka Festival March 4 and 5.

Started in 1948 to celebrate the paving of Moore Haven’s Main Street, Chalo Nitka is one of Florida's oldest continuous festivals.  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 Chalo Nitka Ranch Rodeo will be held Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5. Rodeo action starts at 7 p.m. both days. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6-13. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free.

MOORE HAVEN -- Chalo Nitka Queen Jatzime Morales and Chalo Nitka Junior Miss Zaylie Green are looking forward to the festival.
MOORE HAVEN -- Chalo Nitka Queen Jatzime Morales and Chalo Nitka Junior Miss Zaylie Green are looking forward to the festival.

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 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 5K will be held Saturday, March 5. Preregister online at chalonitka.com by March 3 and save $5.  The race starts and ends at Moore Haven City Park, 299 Riverside Drive S.W., Moore Haven. Race day registration opens at 7 a.m. The race begins at 7:30 a.m.

On Saturday, March 5, the Chalo Nitka Parade starts promptly at 10 a.m., and will begin at City Hall on Riverside Drive. The parade will continue through Moore Haven, along Avenue J, and end at the Chalo Nitka Park. The route is about one mile.

There is no fee for parade entries. For the entry form, go online to chalonitka.com.

The Chalo Nitka Festival is Saturday, March 5, in Chalo Nitka Park (across from the school board office).  Festival fun includes the midway rides, great local food, Seminole arts and crafts, entertainment and more.  

Admission to the festival $5. Wear traditional Seminole Indian attire, a 2022 Chalo Nitka Festival T-shirt or a  2022 Chalo Nitka 5K shirt and get free festival entry.

Entry wristbands can be purchased early at Moore Haven City Hall, 299 Riverside Drive. For more information, call 863-946-0711. 

Chalo Nitka, Moore Haven

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