Okatoma Fest returns after cancellation for COVID-19 pandemic, cut short due to 2019 storms Okatoma Fest 2021 By Charles Herrington | May 1, 2021 at 7:17 PM CDT - Updated May 1 at 7:17 PM HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The 32nd Okatoma Festival in Collins took place Saturday, after being canceled due to the pandemic in 2020 and being shut down early in 2019 because of stormy weather. âPeople are just enjoying it, smiling, talking, visiting with their neighbors that they hadnât seen in over a year, you know, so itâs just got a wonderful spirit, itâs just a joyful time of year and weâre just so happy that itâs turned out,â said Marie Shoemake, executive director of the Covington County Chamber of Commerce.