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O CTO B E R 5-7 | C OT TO N W O O D F L ATS | G U T H R I E, O K

NICK CHARLES SIERRA HULL THE ELDERS

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Celebrate Veterans Week in Branson While veterans and active duty personnel from all branches and from all wars, conflicts and peacetime service are held in high regard every day in Branson, Missouri’s No. 1 tourist attraction, it’s during the week of Nov. 5-11 when Branson entertainers go all out for the men and women of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. It’s the reason why military reunion groups often say that Branson is their destination of choice.

Both veterans and active duty personnel will be the stars of The Veterans Day Parade, which is held in downtown Branson and has become a “must-see” event for locals and visitors alike. But rounds of applause are commonly heard whether military personnel and veterans are seated inside a show, eating at a restaurant or standing in line at one of Branson’s many popular museums. In fact, Branson entertainers will often go out of their way to give standing ovations to those who have come back home, personally thanking them for their sacrifices here and abroad.

Here are some key events taking place during the week of Nov. 5-11:

• The Ozark Mountain Blue Star Mothers will have its afternoon dessert at Cherry Berry, 3000 Green Mountain Drive. Details: RSVP bsmmo2@aol.com or call 618-5408999 by Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Wednesday, Nov. 8: Sunday, Nov. 5:

• The Vietnam Memorial Wall will open at the Welk Resort, 1984 Missouri State Highway 165. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to read the names daily. Details: 417-336-3575.

• A Shindigs ‘Welcome Home’ celebration will be held from 3-5 p.m. at the Jim Stafford Theatre, 3440 W. 76 Country Blvd. Details: Call Sarah at 417-335-4668 or Dee at 870421-3511.

• A World War II mini reunion will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Jim Stafford Theatre, 3440 W. 76 Country Blvd.

• The sixth annual ‘Vets for Vets’ show will be held begin at 2 p.m. at the Mansion Theatre, 189 Expressway Lane.

Admission is free. General Seating. Visit online at bransonveterans.com or call 417-337-8387.

Monday, Nov. 6:

• The Westgate Branson Woods Resort will host its annual Navy Memorial Service at 9 a.m. at the Grand Pavilion, 2201 Roark Valley Road. Refreshments will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by the service. The event is free to the public. Details: Call 417-332-3557 or e-mail Becky Jewsbury at becky_jewsbury@wgresorts.com.

• World War II veterans will be honored from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Village Day Room. Details: 417-3378387.

• A military film festival at 8:30 a.m. from Nov. 6 through Friday, Nov. 10 will be hosted by the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex, 3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. The films are free to veterans and $5 for all others. Details: Call 417-335-3533, etc. 135.

• An opening ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial Wall will be held at 10 a.m. at the Welk Resort, 1984 Missouri State Highway 165. The ceremony is organized by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913. The speaker will be Chief of Chaplains, retired Major General Doug Carver, U.S. Army. Details: Call retired SFC Ernie Bradley at 870-365-8950.

• A Vietnam Era Reunion will be held at 10 a.m. inside the Clay Cooper Theatre, 3216 W 76 Country Blvd. Ticket prices for the Hot Rods & High Heels is $15 per person.

Details: for tickets, call the box office at 417-332-2529.

• A mini reunion for medics, nurses and combat veterans will take place from 2-4 p.m. at the Westgate Resort Grand Pavilion, 2201 Roark Valley Road.

• Westgate Branson Woods Resort will host its fourth annual “Spirit of Branson Tree-Lighting” ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. at the resort, located at 2201 Roark Valley Road. The event is free to the public. Details: Call 417-332-3557 or e-mail Becky Jewsbury at becky_jewsbury@wgresorts.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 7:

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• The 21st annual Military Gala & Banquet will be held from 5-11 p.m. at Chateau of the Lake, 415 N. State Highway 265. All branches, all wars, are welcome. The public is also invited. The event is hosted by the P.O.W. Network.

Reservations required. Tickets are $55 each. Details: Call 417-336-4232.

• A time for prayer that honors veterans and First Responders is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Vetname Veterans Memorial at the College of the Ozarks, 1 Industrial Place, Point Lookout. Details: Call 417-272-0630 or e-mail bsmmo2@aol.com.

• The Marine Corps Cryptologic Association will return to Branson between today and Sunday, Nov. 12. Details: Call John Bicknas at 850-375-4640 or e-mail jbicknas@ gmail.com.

• A service of remembrance will be held for those missing in action or prisoners of war at 8 a.m. at the Welk Resort, 1984 Missouri State Highway 165. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be held at the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Lt. Col. (Retired) Kurt Carlson is a former POW and TWA Flight 947 hostage and will be the guest speaker.

This event is free to the public. Details: Call the POW Network at 417-336-4232 for more information.

• A free breakfast will be offered from 8:30-10 a.m. for all veterans that have served in the “Sandbox” (Sandbox Party) at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, 2800 W 76 Country Blvd.

Call Sarah at 417-335-4668 or Dee at 870-421-3511.

Thursday, Nov. 9:

• A Walmart-led tribute will take place from 8:30-11 a.m. at Mansion Theatre, 189 Expressway Lane, and a luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Branson Meadows, 4740 Gretna Road. Details: Call Dee at 870-421-3511.

• Veteran Empowered Care will speak about building resilience through applied military strength: Col. Jill Chambers, a survivor of the Sept. 11 attacks, will be the guest speaker beginning at 10 a.m. at the Starlight Theatre, 3115 W 76 Country Blvd. Details: RSVP to Julie by calling 417-243-2117.

• Branson Veterans Events & Reunions will host a Korean War veterans mini reunion from 2-5 p.m. at Stone Castle Inn, 3050 Green Mountain Drive. Details: Visit bransonveteransevent.com.

• The 14th annual Rose Petal ceremony and luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Branson Clarion, 2820 76 Country Blvd. Col. Jill Chambers, a survivor of the Sept. 11 attacks, will be the guest speaker. Guests are encouraged to RSVP and a donation of $10 is appreciated.

Details: Contact the Branson Veterans Task Force Women Veterans Committee at 417-337-8387.

• A hospitality room will be available from 2-6 p.m. for a meet-and-greet for all members of the 4th Infantry (Ivy) Division at the Savannah House, 165 Expressway Lane.

Details: Call 920-860-1630.

Friday, Nov. 10:

• Heroes on the Homefront will be honored from noon to 2 p.m. at Branson Meadows, 4740 Gretna Road. Entertainment, lunch, gifts and door prizes are offered. RSVP required. Details: Call Dee at 870-421-3511.

• Veterans and Military Coalition of the Ozarks will observe Veterans Day at 11 a.m. inside the Big Cedar Lodge, 190 Top of the Rock Road. Ceremonies include speakers, a flag presentation, a color guard, a three-volley salute, a wreath-laying, military static displays and other activities.

Details: Call John at 417-230-9187.

Saturday, Nov. 11:

• The 84th Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. in downtown Branson. Details. Call Bob Sarver at 417-2940728.

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MUSIC THAT CHANGED THE WORLD ELVIS

PRESLEY

JOHNNY

CASH JERRY LEE

BOOK BY COLIN ESCOTT AND FLOYD MUTRUX ORIGINALLY DIRECTED ON BROADWAY BY ERIC SCHAEFFER

Call for Reservations: 800.505.9355 1984 State Hwy. 165 | Branson, MO welkbranson.com

LEWIS CARL PERKINS

417.337.7469 | MDQbranson.com Our Oklahoma яБо 5

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Oct 27 8pm Show

Oct 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 25 & 26, 31 Nov 1 & 2, 7-9,14-16 8pm Shows

Home Free

Dec 2 8pm Show

Daily & Vincent Oct 5 3pm Nov 10 8pm

Nov 11 8pm Show

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Neal McCoy

Nov 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16 3pm Shows Oct 13 8pm Show

Sawyer Brown

Oct 14 8pm Show

Nov 4 8pm Show

Charlie Daniels Band Nov 3 8pm Show

Johnny Mathis

Nov 17 & 18 8pm Shows

Wynonna & The Big Noise Dec 9 8pm Show

Th e M a n s i o n Th e at r e . c o m 4 1 7. 3 3 5 . 2 0 0 0

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TWANG, TIMBRE

Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival kicks off 21st anniversary

T

he twang and timbre of bluegrass melodies playing in central Oklahoma is returning Oct. 5-7 as Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival kicks off its 21st anniversary in 2017.

The festival is one that has drawn artists both internationally renowned and relatively unknown to the Guthrie stage for the last 20 years with ever-growing crowds and awareness of the international bluegrass scene.

The genesis of this festival was the brainchild of musician/entrepreneur Byron Berline, OIBF Board Member Doug Hawthorne, and State Rep. Joe Hutchison as a desire to foster the growth of acoustic and bluegrass music amongst Oklahoma’s youth.

The festival has featured international and legendary artists such as Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris.

Headlining the festival this year is noted young 8  Our Oklahoma

musician and fiddle prodigy Sierra Hull, who toured with Alison Krauss and Union Station for some years and has achieved considerable success as a bluegrass singer/songwriter. Nor is she alone as the festival draws musicians from across the globe to play in Red Dirt Country.

Among the international groups are “the Elders,” a six-piece band hailing from Ireland and the United States. Renowned as the premier country western musicians of Japan, the band Blueside of Lonesome is bringing its unique but hauntingly familiar sound to the festival.

The title of the festival, Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival, is indicative of the global draw; the musical jubilee also is one that displays considerable amounts of American and Oklahoma talent.

The Western Flyers, a band dishing out old-style Texas swing, will be playing their scorching brand of tunes. From Oklahoma

TOP: The Western Flyers will be brandishing their old-style Texas swing.

BOTTOM: Mountain Smoke is one of the groups that hail from Oklahoma set to play.

hail the Red Dirt Rangers, an act long associated with artists like Cross Canadian Ragweed and Jason Boland and the Stragglers.

Also from Oklahoma is the Byron Berline Band, led by its namesake, Grammy nominee and longtime alumnus of famed groups such as the Flying Burrito Brothers and Stephen Stills. In addition to these bands are performers such as Cowboy Jim Garling, Mountain Smoke, and Hunt Family Band.

For those familiar with or devotees of bluegrass, the festival will be a treat

without compare as it promises to deliver a fabulous show of famed and well-noted performers of this distinctly blended style of music. Those unfamiliar with bluegrass will find this festival to be an eye-opener that will enlighten and entertain, and hopefully, entice further interest in the genre of bluegrass.

The schedule of performances is online at www. oibf.com. As a nonprofit organization the festival is held with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts.

3 Full Days of

Live Music Featuring

Sierra Hull

October 5-7, 2017 • Guthrie, Oklahoma Sierra Hull

Byron Berline Band

2017 Performers:

Sierra Hull The Elders (Ireland) Andrew Collins Trio (Canada) Louvat Bros (Belgium) Nick Charles (Australia) The Blueside of Lonesome (Japan) The Western Flyers Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin Byron Berline Band Red Dirt Rangers

Steelwind The Bonhams Mountain Smoke Bret Graham RussellClan Jim Paul Blair Band Hunt Family Bluegrass The Foust Family Cowboy Jim Garling Barry “Bones” Patton

Activities:

The Western Flyers

Campground:

The campground opens at Free Children’s Activities noon Sat., Sept. 30th Music Workshops & Vendors with 300 RV sites with Live Auctions: Instruments, Art & More electric and water hookups Play Golf Sunday with Bluegrass Artists as well as plenty of tent camping.

Random Band Jam RV Fee - $16 per night, Byron Berline Youth Band & Instrumental Championships Tent - $10 per night.

Cottonwood Creek Stage – Open Mic

21st Annual

Order Tickets Today at oibf.com ONE-DAY PASSES Thursday, October 5 Friday Late Show

AT THE GATE $30 each* $20 each*

Friday, October 6 Saturday, October 7 3-DAY PASS

$40 each* $40 each* $80 each**

(9p.m. entry)

Sponsors:

*Plus $2 ticket fee **Plus $6 ticket fee

$2-$3 fee per ticket.

Children Under 12 - Free Admission

oibf.com

Avants Family With the assistance of Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts.

MTM Recognition Guthrie Job Corps Our Oklahoma  9

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COMPETITION HEATS UP Fort Gibson festival expected to draw pro barbecue groups

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

S

mokin’ is a good thing when it comes to brisket, ribs, pulled pork and other meats.

And there should be plenty of that good, low and slow smoke at Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival, Oct. 27 and 28 in Fort Gibson.

The barbecue part of the festival draws competitors to a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned cook-off. It also draws barbecue-lovers to sample local fare.

Alissa Hill, owner of Sizzlin’ Bones BBQ Commissary, said 25 professional KCBS teams are expected to compete that Friday

night and through Saturday.

However, Hill said local contestants are the ones who really draw the crowds.

“It’s churches, banks, police departments, several business in town passing out food to the public,” Hill said. “Everyone votes on their favorite.”

Hill said people buy taster kits, then visit barbecue booths and trucks for samples.

“They’ll have anything from brisket to ribs to pulled pork,” she said. “You might get some good old bologna.”

The taster kit fee, which was $10 last year, also pays for drinks, including water,

Our Oklahoma  13

Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite and possibly Diet Coke, she said.

Hill said some professional barbecue cooks in the KCBS competition might give visitors samples as well.

She said her restaurant got its start with barbecue competitions.

“And when it’s right at our doorstep, we want to go,” Hill said.

Banjo picker Mike Williams said the bluegrass part of the festival fits right in with the ‘cue.

“Barbecue seems to be kind of an art.

Bluegrass is kind of an art,” he said. “They

“They take pride in their cooking, and we take pride in our picking and our singing. There are also a lot of small town, country people — simple people, simple food.” take pride in their cooking, and we take pride in our picking and our singing.

There are also a lot of small town, country people — simple people, simple food.”

Williams plays with the Muskogee bluegrass band SpringStreet, which has made several appearances at past Fort Gibson festivals.

He said that when he looks at Smokin’ the Fort crowds he sees “lots of friends and family, and new faces, also.

“Just people enjoying some good, wholesome music,” Williams said. “You’ve got grandma and grandpa, mom and dad and the kids, grandkids all at the same place because there’s something for all of them to do there.”

Fort Gibson Chamber of Commerce

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FILE PHOTO

A cook gets his ribs sweet and juicy before slow cooking them at a recent Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival.

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F I L E P H OTO S

Expect plenty of bluegrass pickin’ and pulled pork at Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival, Oct. 27 and 28 in Fort Gibson.

If you go WHAT: Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Oct. 27. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28.

WHERE: Downtown Fort Gibson.

A rack of chicken thighs looks ready for tasting at Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival.

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F I L E P H OTO

Smoke billows from a cooker as a Smokin’ the Fort participant grabs a brisket.

Good smoke fills Fort Gibson Oct. 27 and 28 during the Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival.

and Cherokee Casino-Fort Gibson will present the ninth annual festival.

Chamber Executive Director Michelle Smythe said the festival is a good way to bring the community together.

“You get to socialize with your friends and neighbors,” she said. “You might get to meet new people you’ve never met before.”

Smythe said Smokin’ the Fort also helps with economic development.

She said she encourages people from Tulsa and Oklahoma City to come to Fort Gibson.

“Mainly, I want it to strengthen the bonds we already have in our community,” Smythe said. “Give kids memories and further develop friendships.”

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READY, SET, DRAW! McAlester area to host arts, culture festivals this fall

By Lacey Sudderth McAlester News-Capital

M

cAlester and surrounding areas will offer a variety of ways for people to experience music, art and culture this fall.

The following is a look at some local arts and entertainment events coming to McAlester and surrounding areas this fall:

CultureFest

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. September 23 The McAlester Area Arts and

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Humanities Council, in collaboration with the city of McAlester Tourism and McAlester Main Street Association, will host the fifth annual CultureFest Music and Arts Festival in historic downtown McAlester. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 23 The festival celebrates the many diverse cultures in the McAlester and surrounding communities through music, dance and fun activities.

S U B M I T T E D P H OTO

The Pistoliers re-enact the high noon shoot-out at the Wild West Festival.

The entertainment lineup for this year includes Hill Irish School of Dance, Queens of Chaos — dancers of India, Tulsa Belly Dancers, Choctaw Fancy Dancers and Cleghorn — Celtic band.

“You can expect demonstrations and special activities as well as food, crafts and product vendors,” McAlester Tourism Executive Assistant Eddie Gray said. “There will be art shows,

an Oklahoma authors showcase, beer and wine gardens, extreme rides and a kids’ zone.”

Gray said extreme rides will include a 200-foot zip line, human hamster balls, a bungee jump and a “reckless” ride.

“CultureFest is recognized as one of the top 10 cultural festivals in Oklahoma,” Gray said.

Gray said the festival showcases a vast array of cultures of countries from around the world.

“Festival-goers can explore, taste, experience and be educated and entertained by authentic performers, vendors and artisans from around the globe,” Gray said.

Gray said McAlester Main Street Association will offer an in-store promotion for children called “CultureFest Passport” — for which participating stores will represent a country and children will be directed to each

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P H OTO B Y L AC E Y S U D D E RT H

LEFT: Children and families gather to watch the Medicine Man perform his comedy act.

S U B M I T T E D P H OTO

Vendors line the streets and attendees shop and have fun at the Wild West Festival.

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store to learn more about each country.

For more information about CultureFest, contact McAlester Area Arts and Humanities at (918) 429-5750.

Wild West Festival October 7-8

McAlester’s Old Town Association and the city

of McAlester will present the 33rd annual Wild West Festival on the weekend of Oct. 7 and 8 in historic Old Town McAlester.

This annual celebration takes place at the original crossroads that gave birth to McAlester in 1840. McAlester was established by entrepreneur J.J. McAlester, who established several mercantile stores during the time that McAlester was still a “tent town.” Both McAlester’s original home and mercantile buildings are still in use today and will be available for tour during the festival.

Movie lovers might recognize the setting, which was featured in movie “True Grit,” starring John Wayne. Today, visitors can experience the authentic Wild West atmosphere, stock up on supplies, and create unique memories that can only be experienced at the original crossroads.

The Wild West Festival will include live music, vendor booths, antique shopping, gunslinger fights (at high noon and throughout the day), chuckwagons, pie contests, a barbecue cook-off, Native American dancers, powwows, storytelling, gospel music on Sunday and arts and crafts.

Kids can enjoy carnival food, face painting and jumping castles.

For more tourism information, contact Old Town Association President Brenda Baxter at (918) 329-9417.

The festival will include activities for the whole family, such as live music, local and regional artists, children’s activities, a mask walk, car cruise and city-approved primitive camping on or near the lake.

Festival-goers can experience the new “Mask Walk,” which is a mask parade scheduled before and during the car cruise.

Awarding-winning mask artist Patrick Riley will be in attendance.

The Hwy 69 D’ART group will present an “Expression Space” at the new Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce building, where art demonstrations by entertainers and visual artists are scheduled to take place from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. This multifunction space will allow artists to go into depth about their chosen talent.

For more information contact Glenna McBride, executive director of Eufaula Area Arts at (918) 617-1689.

Eufaula Arts Festival 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. October 7

The Eufaula Area Arts Council and Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Lake Eufaula Arts Festival: Masquerade the Arts from 9 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 7.

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WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE S U B M I T T E D P H OTO B Y THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT

Lake Tenkiller is popular for all types of water sports, including scuba diving. The lake also has scenic views, beautiful bluffs and plenty of wildlife.

A companion’s guide to Oklahoma’s lakes

By Mack Burke The Norman Transcript 22  Our Oklahoma

A

s a landlocked state, Oklahoma probably isn’t the first destination people think of when they think of anything water related.

Certainly, if Oklahoma were an independent state it wouldn’t have much use for a navy. But Oklahoma actually has more than its fair share of lakes.

Many of them are man-made — Oklahoma has more than 200 lakes that were created by dams, the most in the United States — but it also has more than 60 10-acre-and-up oxbow and playa lakes.

The truth is the Sooner State is an unexpected haven for boaters, swimmers and water-sport enthusiasts.

P H OTO B Y M AC K B U R K E

Thunderbird Sailing Club Vice Commodore Phil Moershel prepares his ship before the club’s weekly race on Lake Thunderbird in Norman.

The “Big Three”

Lake Eufaula, Lake Tenkiller and

Grand Lake make up the “big three” according to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

At 102,000 acres, Lake Eufaula is

the largest in the state, and the eastern Oklahoma landmark is home to 600 miles of shoreline. If it can be done on a lake it can be done at Lake Eufaula.

The giant reservoir was created in

Our Oklahoma  23

P H OTO B Y M AC K B U R K E

Boats bob on the water at Lake Thunderbird’s Little River Marina in Norman.

1964, and, apart from providing electric power and flood control, is still a major attraction for tournament anglers, swimmers, golfers, horseback riders and everything in between.

The “Big Three” are some of the state’s largest lakes, but there’s more to them than sheer size.

Northeast of Lake Eufaula, Tenkiller Lake is chock-full of largemouth and spotted bass, and its clear green-hued water makes for

24  Our Oklahoma

good scuba diving. You read that correctly, scuba diving in Oklahoma. And there are even instructors and tour guides available to help you get your feet wet.

The lake also boasts beautiful bluffs, scenic views, and wildlife like deer, quail, dove, geese and rabbits. Campers will find themselves right at home at one of the 144 tent sites spread across 10 camping areas. For those not looking to rough it, there are lake-

side fine dining options, as well.

Though it’s about half the size of Lake Tenkiller, Grand Lake, or Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, offers many of the same amenities with a slew of shops, restaurants and resorts for visitors to check out when they’re not fishing the docks or parasailing hundreds of feet above the water. It’s in the most northeastern part of the state near the Arkansas and Missouri state lines.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Saturday, Dec. 16 Chisholm Trail Expo Center Enid, OK

Heading West

The big name lakes are in the eastern part

of the state, but that doesn’t leave the rest of the state out to dry. There are five lakes within a short drive of the Oklahoma City metro — Lake Hefner, Stanley Draper Lake, Arcadia Lake, Lake Overhosler and Lake Thunderbird.

Lake Hefner is a reservoir in northwestern Oklahoma City that was built in 1947 to boost Oklahoma City’s water supply. Now it is home to good fishing, various sailing outfits, a 10-mile bike trail, golf and easily accessible

580.237.0238 chisholmtrailexpo.com

Our Oklahoma  25

S U B M I T T E D P H OTO B Y THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT

Lake Eufaula is the largest lake in the state with 600 miles of shoreline, and offers plenty of fishing spots, swimming and more.

beaches. For a little more excitement, visitors can ride the rapids at Riversport Adventures in the OKC boathouse district. But for those just looking to get on the water, and perhaps looking for a quieter feel, Lake Thunderbird on the east side of Norman is a fine choice.

Like so many other lakes in Oklahoma, it wasn’t created with recreation in mind, but rather as a municipal water source for Del City, Midwest City and Norman. And even though its nick namesake, “Lake Dirtybird,” seems unshakeable due to the red clay lakebed, it’s easy to forget when you’re sailing on the calm waves or watching eagles migrate through Oklahoma in the winter.

Lake Thunderbird has two ma26  Our Oklahoma

rinas, swim beaches and a nature trail. The Thunderbird Sailing Club offers lessons for various skill levels and holds a friendly sailboat race on Tuesday evenings that is equal parts relaxing and invigorating.

In the western part of the state, Fort Cobb State Park is a notable entry. It’s part of a 1,872-acre state park located in Caddo County that features the usual recreation suspects: swimming, boating, camping and fishing.

So is Crowder Lake, located just south of Weatherford. With 158 acres of recreational waters, the lake is great for fishing. According to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, it has been named a Trophy Bass Lake and is home to crappie, saugeye,

blue gill and channel catfish.

There are canoes, paddle boats and sailboats available to the public, and swimming and scuba diving are allowed, as well.

On the Oklahoma-Texas border, the appropriately named Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States Located on the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas, the roughly 140-square-mile lake attracts roughly 6 million visitors annually and boasts two dozen marinas and more than 70 species of fish.

Whether you’ve called Oklahoma home your whole life, or are just visiting, regardless of where you set sail or drop anchor, there are plenty of beautiful lakes and aquatic adventures to discover in the Sooner State. Find yours.

S U B M I T T E D P H OTO B Y T H E N O R M A N T R A N S C R I P T Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees is ranked among the top bass fishing lakes in the country. It is a popular destination for all kinds of water sports. Shops, restaurants and resorts keep visitors busy off and on the water.

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COME TO EAT, PLAY, BE SCARED Halloween at The Castle changes every year

By Mike Elswick Muskogee Phoenix

F

or a good scare or a little light-hearted fall fun, one of the leading venues in the region is The Castle of Muskogee, where monsters, mazes and munchies join forces for the annual Halloween Festival.

This is the 23rd year for the event that melds traditional tastes of fall-like caramel apples and smoked turkey legs, with screams, scary characters and ample opportunities to raise the chill factor of guests.

The event annually draws thousands, young and not so young, who come from miles around, said Matt Hiller, co-owner. The Halloween Festival predates The Castle’s signature Renaissance Festival by a year and has grown and 28  Our Oklahoma

changed over the years, he said.

Haunted houses, mazes, being entertained and scared by costumed characters or playing children’s games are among the attractions. Admission to the grounds is free with a variety of activities included, he said.

Prices for events requiring tickets range from $3 to $15 with the Dark Tower Zombie Hunt getting the top price. For the children’s Halloween Land, tickets for children up to 8 years old are $5 each, while adults are admitted free with their children.

The Castle has joined forces with local Girl Scouts to operate that portion of the attractions as a fundraiser to support scouting activities.

“For the young kids, Halloween Land is completely non-scary,” Hiller said. “It’s a fun carnival of games where everyone wins prizes, they can get their face painted and play some games.

The Halloween Festival offers single attraction tickets so guests can take in one event if they want, or all. There also are a couple of ticket packages.

The Fright Pack provides access to four of the scarier attractions, while the Fun Pack focuses on more fun attractions.

Hiller said among the changes being implemented this year is Qless, a system which should cut down on waiting times to get into the different attractions.

“To bypass waiting in line,

P H OTO B Y C AT H Y S PAU L D I N G

Captain Billy Bones (Bill Overby) prepares to set sail on another voyage of the damned during the Halloween Festival. The festival runs through October at the Castle of Muskogee.

you go to the event, give them a text-able number, the number of people in your party, and they will text you when it’s your turn to get in the haunted house,” he said.

That could cut down what might have been an hour or two wait in the past to a five- or 10-minute wait with the Qless system.

There is no extra charge to use the line wait-reduction service, Hiller said.

“With that, instead of people standing in line they can be out on the street where we’ve added multiple food vendors and other vendors,” he said. “They can eat if they want or dance if they want, because we’ll have music.”

Another addition this season

is a Tesla Coil show with purple lightning choreographed to music.

Those shows will be staged about every 30 minutes in the castle’s great hall, Hiller said.

For the hardcore thrill-seeker, there are popular return attractions that come with an admission charge like Casa Monte, a labyrinth of horror, or Domus Horrificus, where guests can expect to be scared and chased by the likes of Freddy Krueger or other characters.

“And we’ve had scary clowns before scary clowns were cool,” Hiller said.

The festival features 11 attractions with four being inside and the rest outdoors on the Castle’s grounds.

At Casa Monte, described as an interactive haunted house, the characters react to patrons while cooking up a brew in kitchen caldron or performing other household duties.

“Domus Horrificus is a more intense, scarier place where it’s dark and things chase you and try to get you,” he said.

The attraction has evolved over the years incorporating movie characters and last year video game scenes were added.

While the maze appears to go on and on, zig-zagging back and forth, Hiller said no one has been lost yet. Guests can expect to be screamed at, chased and yelled at as they make their way through the darkness.

Crews started building the sets over the summer soon after the 2017 Renaissance Festival concluded. The Halloween Festival covers much of the 60-acre grounds.

The boardwalk area is filled with Halloween-themed inflatables, while about 40 vendors fill up the castle’s village area. To pull off the scary illusion each Friday and Saturday night, about 175 actors are in costume, 80 to 100 vendors are on site and others are working behind the scenes to bring the entire cast population to between 350 and 400 people, Hiller said.

“There are some Saturday nights when we have to call in everyone, it gets really busy,” he said.

It all started with a fireworks stand and a need to add revenue streams to the site year-round.

“We had a big, vacant building that we had to do something

Our Oklahoma  29

with,” he said.

The Halloween Festival started small and has continued to grow each of the past 23 years, Hiller said.

“It started out as plain plywood walls, and we steadily grew outward,” he said. “We have to rebuild it every year, so it changes every year and as we’re re-doing it, we change up the scenes.”

The staff has created a lot of unique characters only found at The Castle of Muskogee’s Halloween Festival, Hiller said. But one of the mainstays over the years has been the movie character Freddy Krueger from the “Nightmare on Elm Street” film series.

“He’s always popular,” Hiller said.

Creepy animatronic figures are merged with spooky sound effects and lighting to help set the mood.

Hiller said besides using darkness,

30  Our Oklahoma

If you go WHAT: Halloween Festival at The Castle of Muskogee.

WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 29 through Oct. 28.

WHERE: The Castle of Muskogee, 3400 Fern Mountain Road.

TICKETS: Admission is free to the Halloween Village, which features shopping, as well as food and beverage spots. Tickets for individual attractions range from $3 to $15.

over the years, strobe lights were added and later, black lights came on the scene.

Other attractions include a Haunted Hayride, Torture Chamber, the outside Trail of Blood and Dark Tower Zombie Hunt and the inside Chessboard Stage. The stage

features a variety of shows like jugglers, a hypnotist and escape artist.

The transformation of the Halloween Festival from a single plywood maze with masked characters jumping out at guests to the multiple-attraction venue it is today has been an evolution, Hiller said.

“It’s been a slow process but a steady process,” he said. “This year, we’re focusing on eliminating the lines and creating more things to do.”

On the grounds, guests can listen to a variety of ghost stories or visit with one of 35 characters who, when prompted, with share the story of how they made the transition from the living to beyond the grave, he said.

“They love to talk, interact and tell you how they got killed,” Hiller said.

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