Bust Out Your Boots for the Greatest Brighton Field Day Yet!
Festival season isn’t over yet! Over the month of February, we have danced at Tribal Fair and listened to some incredible musicians at the Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival. But don’t fret. There is one more unique and special Seminole event to add to your calendars this winter festival season! The Brighton Field Day Festival & Rodeo starts tomorrow, February 19th. Get ready for an action packed four-day event full of rodeo competitions, vendors, alligator wrestling, carnival rides, a Saturday concert experience, and more. Need more details? Follow along in this post as we give a sneak peek into each of these entertainment experiences. Check out the schedule, so you can plan your perfect Brighton Field Day!
The Brighton Field Day Festival and Rodeo is held on the Brighton Seminole Reservation at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena, 17410 Sports Complex Road, Okeechobee, FL 34974. You can get your tickets to the event at the gate, or beforehand online at TicketWeb – Upcoming Events. TicketWeb is the ONLY authorized online ticket retailer for this event.
One of the oldest Native American festivals in the United States, Brighton Field Day has been running since 1938. The first Brighton Field Day was organized by teachers Mr. and Mrs. William and Edith Boehmer. They organized a “day of fun.” Originally open to only Seminoles, it eventually was opened up to visitors of all kinds. The original Brighton Field Day included pie eating contests, sack races, dinner, and various games. Today, the event has expanded to become a bustling rodeo event with whirling carnival rides, musical headliners, and a variety of food and drink vendors. Below, check out some pics from Brighton Field Days past.
Women and children hang out at Brighton Field Day 1939. The Seminole children in the foreground are identified left to right as Dorothy Tiger, Frances Tigertail, and Cecil Johns. The adults are identified left to right as Mary Tiger, Mabel Billie, Rosa Johns, Alice Osceola, and Sally Osceola. The baby is identified as Edna Johns and Rosalie Tiger Osceola is behind her. (2009.34.32, ATTK Museum)
Eating Dinner at the 1939 Brighton Field Day Festival. (2009.34.34, ATTK Museum)
2015.6.13504
Bikes at the Parade. 2015.6.25268
Women’s Clothing Contest. 2015.6.9513, ATTK Museum
Clothing Contests
Seminole patchwork, clothing styles, and fashion are an integral part of Seminole culture and tradition. Clothing contests are a popular facet of many Seminole events! Make sure to check out some of the amazing pieces that Seminole artisans have created for these beloved competitions. Above, you can see young entrant to a clothing contest at a past Brighton Field Day Event. (2015.6.9537, ATTK Museum)
PRCA Rodeo and Xtreme Bulls
One of the most anticipated highlights of the Brighton Field Day Festival is the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) competitions. As the oldest and most prestigious rodeo organization in the world, the PRCA has been a cornerstone of Brighton’s traditions since joining in 1940. This year promises another unforgettable rodeo season packed with adrenaline and skill.
Fans can look forward to classic events like bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, roping demonstrations, and barrel racing. Plus, stick around for the electrifying Xtreme Bulls showcase. Featuring some of the top-ranked PRCA bull riders in the world, along with qualifiers from other Xtreme Bulls events, this is rodeo action at its finest!
White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers
Back again for another exciting Brighton Field Day Festival, the White Mountain Apache Dancers are a family dance troupe. The Apache Crown Dance “is a ceremonial dance that ‘celebrates ancestors, community, and traditions while honoring gifts from the Creator.’”
Osceola’s Warrior Legacy – Traditional Weapon Demo
Throughout the weekend, don’t miss the traditional weapons demonstrations by Osceola’s Warrior Legacy. This skilled group brings history to life by showcasing authentic Seminole weapons, tactics, and war-period attire, all while illustrating how Seminole warriors fought U.S. Army troops during the 1800s. Created by Charlie Osceola, the group includes Tucomah Robbins and Jason Melton, who met at Big Cypress Martial Arts. In a 2019 Seminole Tribune article, the duo shared by Osceola’s Warrior Legacy is important.
“One of our goals is to bring back a warrior society and bring back that warrior spirit,” Robbins said. “There are different kinds of warriors, too. There’s not just a warrior that’s physical. You can be a warrior of the mind. But the warrior mentality is what we’re trying to bring back.”
“We’re trying to cultivate that with the youth.” Melton added. Original members also include Travis Billie and Quenton Cypress. Above, you can see an image from the group’s Facebook page from January 2023.
Venomous Snake Show – David “The Cobra Kid” Weathers
David “The Cobra Kid” Weathers will perform his famous venomous snake show throughout the weekend. Weathers got interested in snake handling at a young age, especially seeing other handlers such as Seminole alligator wrestlers. In fact, “Seeing these people co-exist with these dangerous animals drew David more towards his dreams of becoming an animal handler and trainer.”
Freestyle Alligator Wrestling (FAWC)
Packed with heart-pounding thrills and edge-of-your-seat excitement, the Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition (FAWC) is the ultimate showdown where the world’s top alligator wranglers put their skill and courage to the test against wild gators.
For the Seminole Tribe, alligator wrestling is more than a sport—it’s a cultural tradition deeply rooted in history. In the early 19th century, this practice was vital for survival and later became a cornerstone of Seminole tourism during challenging times. Check out this spirited competition celebrating one of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s most beloved cultural traditions.
Above, you can see 2025 Freestyle Alligator Wrestler Dan Beck at Brighton Field Day, via the FAWC Facebook page.
Billy Walker’s Alligator Show
Alongside the FAW competitions, renowned alligator wrestler Billy Walker will wow crowds with a series of thrilling wildlife and alligator shows throughout the weekend. A fan favorite at Seminole events, Walker brings decades of hands-on experience and unmatched expertise to the arena.
Seminole Princesses
Miss Florida Seminole Bailey Marie Latchford
Cheehantaǎmo! My name is Bailey Marie Latchford, and I am 21 years old and a proud member of the Otter Clan. My Indian name is “Pa-lo-la-wee-che,” which is from an Indian medicine song for an easy birth. I am currently pursuing a dual degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology, at Florida State University. Since beginning college in the summer of 2023, I have completed over 200 hours of community service through various organizations and shelters in the Leon County area.
During my reign, my goal is to connect with as many people as possible. I believe that the wisdom and experiences of others allow me to form deeper connections and carry forward new knowledge from every place I visit. I am especially looking forward to meeting with tribal leaders, engaging with Indigenous youth, and sharing the history of the Seminole Tribe wherever my journey takes me. Shonaabesha.
Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Chaka Yani Smith
Estonko! My name is Chaka Yani Smith and I am the reigning Jr. Miss Florida Seminole 2025-2026. I am eighteen years old, and reside in Okeechobee, Florida. My parents are Suraiya and Chaka Smith and I am a proud member of the bird clan. My este-cate, or creek name is “Eslicet” which means to sit with something. I am a senior at Okeechobee High School as well as a dual enrollment student at Indian River State College.
During the school year I participate in a number of sports and extracurriculars such as volleyball, basketball, weightlifting, and flag football. I am also a member of my school’s Drama Club, National Honor Society, and Beta Club. In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, volunteering for local organizations as well as spending time with family and friends.
After high school I plan to continue my college education earning a degree in Political Science, or Public Policy. Eventually I would like to work in the Florida House of Representatives and one day, Congress, to make a positive difference not just for Florida, but for the rest of the country, especially my Seminole people and indigenous communities.
Brighton Field Day has always held a special place in my heart, considering I grew up on the Brighton Reservation. Each year, the event brings together families, friends, and community members in a way that feels both celebratory and grounding, reminding me of the values and traditions that shaped my childhood. From the familiar faces to the shared laughter, food, and activities, Field Day reflects the strength and closeness of our community. It is more than just an event, it is a time to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate where we come from. Because of these memories and connections, Brighton Field Day remains one of my favorite events and I’m so excited that I get to share this experience
with you all!
Mvto,
Chaka Yani Smith
Jr. Miss Florida Seminole 2025-2026
Culture Camp
A cultural highlight of Brighton Field Day, the Culture Camp is where the Seminole Tribe of Florida shares traditions, art, and culture with Field Day visitors. Don’t be shy! Come to the culture camp to experience Seminole lifestyle, clothing, food, and wood carving. Explore the meld between Seminole and Florida cowboy culture and even snag a pumpkin frybread sample.
Dasha
Help us welcome opener Dasha to this year’s Brighton Field Day Festival! Since childhood, Dasha never doubted if she’d make it in music—only when. After spending years writing over one thousand songs—including her soon-to-be platinum single, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” when finally arrived. What followed was nothing short of sensational. The singer landed coveted spots at country music meccas in 2024, Stagecoach, Austin City Limits, CMT Awards and CMA Fest.
Her year didn’t stop there, though. She sold-out her first global headlining tour, Dashville USA, and performed on two of the biggest televised broadcasts of the year – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. The song went on to become one of the most-streamed country songs in 2024 and won the People’s Choice Country Awards for Female Song. Dasha just released the first single from her forthcoming sophomore country project, “Not At this Party” as she prepares to hit the road for the remainder of 2025 with Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett and Dylan Scott.
Tucker Wetmore
You won’t want to miss headliner Tucker Wetmore at this year’s Brighton Field Day Festival. With a warm vocal cut from the woods of the Pacific Northwest and an easy instinct for modern grooves, Tucker Wetmore has emerged as one of country’s most dynamic new stars. An ACM and CMA Awards-nominated singer-songwriter and headline performer who has already surpassed 1 billion career streams, the chart-topper has taken just a few years to leave a lasting mark.
Raised in Kalama, Washington, the piano-playing student of country, rock, reggae and more wrote his first song after a college football injury, reaching Nashville in 2020. Kicking off his career with back-to-back Platinum “Wine Into Whiskey” and 2x Platinum debut No. 1 “Wind Up Missin’ You,” Wetmore landed on Billboard’s all genre Hot 100 in 2024 with both tracks, showcasing a serene, sawtoothed-country buzz.
After two features on the Twisters soundtrack, his first Grand Ole Opry appearance and a sold-out headline tour debut, Wetmore released his debut album What Not To to wide acclaim in 2025, wrapping hard-won life lessons in laid-back singalongs, and soul-scouring balladry. Already a veteran of major tours alongside Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Jordan Davis and more, Wetmore spent this summer on the road with superstar Thomas Rhett, following his first headlining shows across the U.S., U.K. and Europe. He’ll return to the highway for festival and headline dates across the U.S. this fall as he remains a standout “one to watch” by Billboard, MusicRow, VEVO, Spotify and the Opry.
Vendors Galore
In addition to this incredible entertainment lineup, Brighton Field Day Festival is proud to have partnered with some amazing food and merch vendors throughout the weekend. We encourage you to take some time to try a variety of different foods and experiences that are available to you throughout the weekend! Check out “Tent City” for an array of different vendors with goods for sale.
