For the second year in a row, a multi-day celebration of Native American culture in Seminole County has been cancelled.

The annual Seminole Nation Days Celebration, which has taken place the third week of September for more than five decades, has been called off this year due to COVID-19 concerns. The decision to cancel the event was made in mid-August by then Chief Elect Lewis Johnson, who officially assumed office last Saturday.

“The Seminole Nation as well as the whole world has faced an unprecedented era in history with the pandemic of COVID-19,” Johnson said in a statement posted to the nation’s website. “I must make a decision based on the science and data for the protection and wellbeing of our tribal members. Seminole Nation Days for this year of 2021 will be cancelled. I hope we can all look forward to a much better Seminole Nation Days Celebration for September of 2022.”

The celebration typically includes a parade, basketball and softball tournaments, pageants, concerts, a carnival, a powwow and food vendors. Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Seminole Nation are also crowned during the festivities, which take place at the Mekusukey Mission located at Highways 59 and 99.

Last year’s celebration was also cancelled due to the pandemic. The Muscogee Nation Festival, which was for Sept. 25 in Okmulgee, was also cancelled over coronavirus concerns.