The Cherokee Strip Celebration will be much larger this year, with plenty to do Friday through Sunday downtown and at Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center.
“The theme this year is ‘The Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Plains,’” said Susan Burcham, membership and special events director at Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber’s website, www.enidcham ber.com, shows the schedule of events, she said.
Among the activities this year will be an Indian taco lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday on the Garfield County Court House lawn. Three bands will play throughout the day — from noon to 6 p.m. — and vendors also will be on the courthouse lawn selling a variety of items.
“Saturday, there’s a slew of events,” Burcham said.
Western movies will be featured 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Public Library of Enid and Garfield County, along with literature about the Cherokee Strip.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church will sponsor a quilt and cookbook sale.
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is sponsoring lantern tours by reservation. Tickets are $10. The tours will feature live reenactments of life during the Cherokee Strip period at Humphrey Heritage Village. To register, call 237-1907 or go to www.csrhc.org.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, downtown will be the site of a square dance party featuring several groups of performers, including dancers representing the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
“After that, you can dance the night away to all kinds of music,” Burcham said.
Also on the schedule for Saturday are the annual Great Land Run; a sports and fitness expo at Cherokee Strip Conference Center; Enid Farmers Market, which will move to Broadway for one day only; and kids’ activities, including pony rides, a petting zoo and train rides.
“There’s also a live longhorn with a saddle on it, and you can have your picture taken on it,” Burcham said.
The Enid Walk of Fame induction ceremony honoring residents who have contributed to the growth and betterment of the city will be at 9:30 a.m. The induction is at Cherokee Strip Conference Center Plaza.
The Cherokee Strip Parade and Kids Bike Parade begin at 10:30 a.m. This year’s parade will feature more area high school marching bands. Enid High School, Chisholm High School and Hennessey High School will be there, and Burcham said she is expecting others.
Applications and forms to enter are on the chamber website. Deadline to enter is today.
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center also will hold its Frontier Festival Saturday at Humphrey Heritage Village, featuring trick ropers, gunfights and an authentic Western experience. The event is free with regular museum admission.
David Allen Memorial Ballpark will be host to a Saturday dinner block party 6-8 p.m. to benefit the Jayla Alexsis Tuck Cancer Foundation, which assists children with cancer. The meal will include hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks.
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Enid Symphony Orchestra will present a free performance in the ballpark. The Tuck Foundation will sponsor a free outdoor showing of “The Lorax” in the ballpark beginning at 8 p.m. Donations are requested.
Wrapping up the weekend on Sunday will be the Run to Leonardo’s event. Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse will sponsor activities, games and a land run 2-4 p.m. Admission is free.
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