“I’m a real arts nut as well as a foodie. I try to never miss Claremore’s Bluegrass and Chili Festival as well as the Stratford and/or Porter Peach Festivals. And for art, nothing beats lazy First Friday Gallery Walks through Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District.” – Chuck Mai
Red Earth
“Edmond’s LibertyFest features 11 events from June 2-July 4. They include a car show, cardboard boat regatta, KiteFest, rodeo, road rally, A Taste of Edmond, Concert in the Park, parade, ParkFest at UCO, fireworks and a scholarship pageant. LibertyFest was selected as one of the Top 10 places to be in America on July 4 by CNN and USA Today. That portion of the festival is a week long celebration of the birth of this nation and the heritage of our state.” – Sherri Rogers
“During the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival in early June, more than 100 North American Indian tribes participate in what is the largest Native American event of its type. The festival includes a parade in downtown Oklahoma City, a dance competition, juried art market, children’s activities and more. It’s one of the most anticipated festivals in Oklahoma City each year.” – Mike Carrier “I always enjoy the Mayor’s Blues Ball in
Medicine Park. This event takes place every Labor Day weekend, and is free to the public. The Oklahoma State Fair is a must, and of course, any rodeo or powwow that takes place across the state is worth attending.” – Jessica Henderson “A Tulsa tradition that continues to get better each year is the ONEOK FreedomFest. Every year, nearly 100,000 people come to the banks of the Arkansas River to celebrate July 4. In addition to the spectacular 20-minute fireworks display, there are lots of free activities for the family such as inflatables, a rock-climbing wall, hot-air balloon, facepainting and various fair-style food vendors.” – Ray Hoyt
OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
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tival Summer�Fes
Clockwise from top left: Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, Blue Dome Service Station, POPS, the Blue Whale, the Round Barn.
Personal Favorite “I wouldn’t be a true Okie if I neglected to mention Route 66. Oklahoma has more drivable miles of this iconic roadway than any other state. But the allure is more than just memorable blacktop – it’s attractions such as POPS and the Round Barn in Arcadia, the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Route 66 museums in Elk City and Clinton, the Victorian Belvidere Mansion in Claremore, the Blue Whale in Catoosa, the Blue Dome Service Station in Tulsa, and Lucille’s Roadhouse in Weatherford.” – Chuck Mai “I love to drive Route 66. While driving the famous Mother Road through Oklahoma you see so many fantastic things; whether it’s landmarks, businesses, or just the natural scenery. I even love to see the older, dilapidated buildings that still maintain the structure and character we all know and associate with Route 66. There’s so much history along this road, and it darts across the entire state.” – Jessica Henderson “I love Oklahoma and Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66. From Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza at the edge of downtown Tulsa all the way to the iconic Blue Whale in Catoosa, the route is filled with historic buildings and shops. Even in the areas which aren’t developed, there’s still a sense of nostalgia that goes along with traveling on the Mother Road.” – Ray Hoyt
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JUNE 2013
VISITTULSA, POPS, FRED W. MARVEL/OKLAHOMA TOURISM, FRONTIER COUNTRY MARKETING ASSOCIATION
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