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CHEROKEE STRIP CELEBRATION EXPANDING
2012 Festival Features New and Extended Events
On September 16, 1893, a cannon’s fire unleashed the largest land run in American history. Over 100,000 people raced to claim plots of land in an area in northern Oklahoma Territory known as the Cherokee Strip.
The Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce announced today that the 2012 Cherokee Strip Celebration, “Where the Wind Comes Sweepin’ Down the Plain,” which will be held on September 14-16, is adding several new features. The Chamber is partnering with other organizations to commemorate our past and celebrate our future with a whole weekend of fun in Enid.
Events will begin on Friday, September 14, at 11:00 a.m. with a constant stream of events and entertainment through Sunday evening. “The Cherokee Strip Celebration is the signature event for the city,” said Andi Holland, Enid Chamber Chair. “We have a rich and unique heritage in northwest Oklahoma that is worthy of grand celebration.” Look for a full schedule of Cherokee Strip Celebration activities to be released soon.
Celebration events start downtown on Friday with the all-time favorite Indian Tacos lunch and live music, but new this year is an arts festival feel with the addition of vendors. “We encourage art, craft, music and merchandise vendors to have their booths open all Friday afternoon and Saturday before and after the parade,” said Susan Burcham, Special Events Director for the Enid Chamber. “We believe having a two day event will make it more worthwhile for specialty vendors to participate and make it more festive and entertaining for our community.”
The festivities will carry over to Saturday with the Great Land Run 10K and 5K, the farmer’s market and a host of children’s activities on the square. The highlight of the morning will be the Cherokee Strip Celebration Parade at 10:30 a.m. Grand Marshall of this annual favorite will be Enid’s own internationally known fiddler, Kyle Dillingham, who will treat parade goers to a remarkable performance you will not want to miss.
Other activities taking place during Cherokee Strip Celebration weekend include Main Street Enid’s, “Square on the Square” , a Quilt Show on Friday through Sunday at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, a performance by the Enid Symphony Orchestra on Saturday evening, a dinner block party and movie night benefiting the Jayla Alexis Tuck Cancer Foundation. On Sunday afternoon, “Run to Leonardo’s” for a Family Fun Festival at Leonardo’s Children’s Museum including arts, crafts, games, and a Leonardo’s Land Run Race.
At the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Frontier Festival living history events will celebrate the 119th Anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land Run. On Friday night visitors will travel back to 1893 and glimpse into the lives of the settlers on their lantern-led tours through Humphrey Heritage Village. Tickets are $10 for the tours and reservations are needed. Following the parade on Saturday afternoon guests of the Heritage Center will experience an 1893 frontier town with all the sights, sounds and hands-on activities of pioneer life.
The Enid Chamber invites you to get involved in celebrating Enid’s extraordinary heritage. Sponsorship opportunities available to contribute to the success of this year’s Cherokee Strip Celebration. Vendor and parade entry applications may be picked up at the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, 210 Kenwood Blvd in downtown Enid or e-mail susanb@enidchamber.com. The deadline for all vendor applications is September 4 and parade entries are due by September 10.
For more information on Cherokee Strip Celebration weekend or other Chamber activities, please call (580) 237-2494 or visit www.enidchamber.com.
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