The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s 50th anniversary festival kicked off Thursday in Okmulgee. The Tulsa Flyer was there for the rodeo and the stomp dance, which moved inside because of rain.
The weekend-long festival boasted traditional food and craft vendors as well as a carnival and concerts from artists including Ryan Bingham and Gene Simmons. The rodeo featured junior bull riders and professionals.
In the mix was 9-year-old Carston Fry from Sentinel, Oklahoma. He has ridden more than 100 bulls, starting with his first one named “Banana.”
One of the participants at the stomp dance was 11-year-old Matti Wilson.
“Dancing like this, it’s our way of communicating and asking God to answer our prayers,” Wilson said. “It’s basically worshiping but in a different way.”
Her father made her shaker cans and helped tie them on her feet. Wilson spoke about how important it is to her to dance and carry on the tradition, saying it was an honor to dance at the festival.
A young cowboy makes his way back behind the chutes after riding a bull during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Matti Wilson prepares to take part in the stomp dance during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A cowboy prepares his rope before riding a bull during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A bull fighter awaits the next bull during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Attendees participate in the stomp dance during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A young cowboy gets kicked by a bull during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A young cowboy receives help taking his helmet off during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Carston Fry, age 9, rides a bull during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He has ridden around 100 bulls, today he rides a bull named Bannana. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Attendees participate in the stomp dance during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A Muscogee Nation elder prays before the stomp dance during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Attendees enjoy the carnival during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Cowboys prepare to ride bulls during the Muscogee Nation Festival in Okmulgee on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
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