Clear your calendar for these GREAT upcoming events in September!

14 – 18 : 93rd ANNUAL KAY COUNTY FREE FAIR! Kay County Fairgrounds, Blackwell.

18 : 24th ANNUAL CHEROKEE STRIP BBQ COOK OFF Lake Ponca Park, Ponca City.

18 – 19 : 36th ANNUAL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Ponca City Arts Center, Ponca City.

24 – 25 : 17TH ANNUAL STANDING BEAR POW WOW Standing Bear Native American Park, Ponca City.

This Weeks’ Events, August 29 – September 4

2 : MUSIC IN THE PARK – War Memorial Park, 5th Street, in front of Tennis Courts. Come and join the fun with an evening of patriotic and big band music, 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chair and bottled water and listen to the music of Patrick Kitchell and his group “City Park.” Contact: (580) 767-0432.

4 : FLY-IN BREAKFAST Ponca City Airport. Contact: (580) 767-0470.

5 : PONCA CITY ART CENTER COLLECTION – Ponca City Art Center – Opening Reception September 5. Exhibit runs through October 3. Contact: (580) 765-9746.

Prizes for Car Show Entrants

• Each entrant receives a t-shirt, dash plaque and meal.
• $100.00 drawing will be held every 30 minutes beginning at 10:00 AM.  The car show committee is providing over $3500 worth of auto related prizes to be given away; in addition we will award numerous sponsors’ gifts.
• Plaques will be awarded to the top 20 cars and top 5 motorcycles.  Awards for Best of Show in Car and Best in Show in Motorcycle.   Also will have Mayor’s Choice, Dealer’s choice (with $100.00) People’s Choice, and Most Miles traveled.
• Immediately after awards:  TWO $500.00 cash drawings (even if you won a prize earlier, your ticket will be entered in this drawing.)

General Public

• Food Court with a large variety of food.  The Hooker Soda Fountain and Grill and Pizza on Broadway will be open downtown.
• Poker walk downtown.  Tickets are $5.00 and the winner will get half of the proceeds.
• Raffle tickets sold for chances on a unique car show quilt.  Tickets are $5.00 and the proceeds go to the P.E.O. (Educational Scholarship Organization) and the Hooker Car Show.
• You could win a Towner 500 S&W caliber rifle valued at $1500. It has a unique serial number and an engraving of the Hooker Car Show logo. The tickets are $10.00 and the drawing will be at the end of the awards program.
• For $1.00 you will receive two tickets, one to vote on your favorite car or motorcycle for the People’s choice award and one for a $500.00 cash drawing.  Local merchants will again offer gifts. You can enter for these drawings by visiting the various stores the day of the show on September 11.
• The younger crowd will be offered prizes for entering our trivia contest.  Hot Wheels and Model Car kits will be awarded to the first three places in each category based on accuracy and speed.  There will two age categories.
• The Lion’s Club car ride will be set up.   We are working on securing more activities for the whole family.
• We will have a swap meet.  A grilling contest and meal with entertainment will begin shortly after awards at 4:30.

Contact information:  http://www.hookercarshow.com hookercarshow@live.com 580-652-2333

Where: Boiling Springs State Park
When: 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Hardy Watkins, Executive Director of OTRD, and other state and local park officials will be on hand for the dedication ceremony.

Please RSVP to Leslie Blair at Leslie.Blair@OklaTourism.gov by Monday, August 30.

About the Spring Box Renovation
Boiling Springs State Park is named for one of the several natural springs in the park. At one time, these springs had the appearance of “boiling” as the sandy-bottomed spring was churned with the strong inflow of subsurface water.

The Spring Box is the structure that surrounds the spring and allows people to see the spring boil. The Spring Box renovation includes a new cedar log shelter and flagstone paving. The area was also landscaped with new planting beds, reflecting pond, and stream bed. Boiling Springs is one of Oklahoma’s original seven state parks and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. The renovation of the Spring Box and surrounding areas uses materials and designs that are similar to the construction style of the CCC.

The renovation also includes interpretive signage that was developed to help the public better understand the history of the park, the geology and hydrology of the spring and the flora and fauna in the area. The parking areas, sidewalks, and viewing area were redesigned to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. This is the first major renovation of the spring area since the 1950’s. The cost of the project was approximately $785,000.

There are many other improvements that have been taking place at Boiling Springs over the past several years. There are five new playgroups located throughout the park, a new comfort station, improvements to the group camp, and a new park maintenance barn. Currently renovations to the pool bathhouse and an additional comfort station are underway. The total cost of the renovations at Boiling Spring is more than $2.3 million and comes from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Boiling Springs State Park is located one mile North of Woodward on State Highway 34, then 5 miles East on State Highway 34C. For park information and driving directions, please visit our Web site.

“We believe in bringing live country music to our listening area and doing so at a really affordable price. This show is a direct result of our recent audience ratings in Ponca City and the surrounding areas in North Central Oklahoma,” stated station manager, Phil Gillen. “We realized what a great listening audience we had in Kay Co. and immediately went to work on a Ponca City Show. With a venue as grand as the Poncan Theatre, it should be a great night.”

The country music stylist, Earl Thomas Conley, recorded 18 number 1 hits in the 1980’s and was the first artist to record 4 #1 hits on one album. Tickets may be purchased in advance, at the Poncan Theatre box office, or online at poncantheatre.com. Discount ticket coupons good for $10 off, are available at Ponca City businesses including Body Works Massage and Spa, Bowker Ford, Head Country BBQ Restaurant, Two Hats Restaurant, and the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. One coupon per ticket may be redeemed for the discounted price at the box office. Patrons can find available ticket coupons by listening to U.S. 107.9 FM or by logging on to kwlsradio.com.

For More Information Contact:
The Poncan Theatre
580-765-0943
www.poncantheatre.org

This will be the first time the Extreme Monster Truck team performs in Ponca City, but not the first time in Oklahoma.

“Our claim to fame is the Oklahoma State Fair, where we’ve performed for 6 years running and it’s been a phenomenal success,” said Jim Morris, promoter for Extreme Monster Truck Nationals.

The event will take place both evenings at the historic 101 Rodeo grounds, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. and the show beginning at 8:00 p.m. “We’ve got a really aggressive and exciting show planned for the Ponca City crowd,” Morris said. “Our goal is to have people oohing and aahing.”

Featured in the monster truck lineup will be 2-time world champion “Equalizer,” which currently has the most powerful motor in any monster truck at almost 2,000 horsepower. Other top trucks participating in the event include Hot Tamale, Crashmaster, Ice and Raptor, as well as military-tribute truck “Brute Force.”

For a free sneak peek at the Monster Trucks, fans can visit Davis-Moore Auto Group in Ponca City on Thursday, July 29 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. or on Saturday, July 31 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

In addition to monster truck action, the event will feature motorcycle jumpers, and a “Tuff Truck” contest for area residents wanting to put their trucks to competition.

Ticket prices are $10 for children ages 3-11; $20 for adults, and $25 for VIP. A VIP ticket includes preferred seating and parking, a pre-show pit party, a special meeting with Spiderman, and photos and autographs. Tickets are available at Food Pyramid in both Ponca City and Stillwater; Ponca City Discount Foods; Heartland Western Outfitters, and the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.premierok.com; www.ticketsareavailable.com; or by phone at 1-877-851-8427 as well as at the gate on the day of the show.

For additional information contact Kristi at Ponca City Tourism, (580) 765-4400.

Make sure to schedule these BIG EVENTS!!

JULY 25-31 – 35^TH ANNUAL GRAND NATIONAL MOTO CROSS RACES – Held at the AMBUC Race Park. Moto Cross races daily, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Tickets on sale at the gate – $10.00 for adults, children 5 & Under FREE. Contact: (580) 762-3635.www.poncacitygrandnationalmx.com .

JULY 30 – 31 - EXTREME MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS is coming to Ponca City on July 30-31!! Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Catch the action at the 101 Rodeo Grounds, 8:00 p.m.  Get tickets at the Ponca City Chamber and other area locations!

AUGUST 12-14 - 101 RANCH WILD WEST’S 51ST ANNUAL PRCA RODEO, at the 101 Rodeo Grounds. Contact: (580) 765-5549.  Get tickets at the Ponca City Chamber!



This weeks events, July 25 – July 31!

25-31 – GRAND NATIONAL MOTO CROSS RACES – AMBUC Race Park. Races daily from 8 – 5. Tickets on sale at the gate – $10.00 for adults, children 5 & Under FREE. www.poncacitygrandnationalmx.com . Contact: (580) 762-3635.

26 – FULL MOON OVER WENTZ - Enjoy this free family swim at the historic Wentz pool, from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.  Contact: 767-0432.

27 – CHILDREN’S SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL - Free Entertainment from The Poncan Theatre! – Show times are 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.   Enjoy great, kid-friendly entertainment every Tuesday, from your fine FRIENDS at the Poncan Theatre!  Contact: (580) 765-0943.

29 – 31- CRAZY DAYS IN PONCA CITY! - Enjoy the fun and excitement of one of the biggest SALE events of the year!  Contact:  (580) 765-4400.

30 – 31 – EXTREME MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS - See Monster Trucks CRUSH the competition.  VIP ticket gets admission to Pit Party and to meet Spider Man! 31 Tickets $10 Children 3-11; $20 Adults; $25 VIP All Ages! Show starts at 8:00 gates open at 6:00 at Ponca City Rodeo Grounds. Get tickets at Ponca City Chamber, Food Pyramid Stores, Discount Foods, Heartland Western Outfitters, or premiereok.com.  Contact:  (580) 765-4400.

31 – 26th ANNUAL “CHRISTMAS IN JULY/KAWFEST” BOAT FLOTILLA- Pioneer Swimming Beach, Kaw Lake. Join the fun and enjoy live music, great food vendors, poker fun, boat flotilla and fireworks! Pick up registration forms at McFadden Cove Marina or Pioneer Cove Marina. Sponsored by the Kaw City Chamber of Commerce and The Kaw Lake Association. Contact: (580) 762-9494.

Next Weeks Events, August 1 – August 7!

1 – CHILDREN’S ACADEMY EXHIBIT – Ponca City Arts Center - Opening Reception August 1. Exhibit runs through August 29. Contact: (580) 765-9746.

6-8 – KAW  POW WOW - Friday dancing begins at 6:30 p.m. with Grand Entry and gourd dancing.   Saturday & Sunday dancing begins at 2:00 p.m. with Supper being served at 5:00.  Food concessions and arts and crafts. Contact: Carolyn Delaney at (866) 404-5297 or (580) 269-2552 extension 210.

6 – EARL THOMAS CONLEY – Live in Concert - The Poncan Theatre! – Sponsored by KWLS Radio.  Show is only $15, or only $5 with special $10 coupon available at local merchants!  Don’t miss this great musical event!  Contact: 580-765-4400.

7 – FLY-IN BREAKFAST, Ponca City Airport. Contact: (580) 767-0470.

7 – “ALL FIRED UP” - Benefit Fundraiser for the Ponca City Fire and Life Safety Council, Ody’s Bar, 3700 Lake Road.  Enjoy a steak dinner with all the fixins’, prepared by 3 different teams of Ponca City Firemen.  You VOTE the winner!  Other fun includes a DJ, and live auction!  Call (580) 765-4400 for more information.  Tickets available at Ponca City Chamber.

The second annual Pioneer Woman Museum “Heart to Heart” Tea Party will be held on Saturday, July 3rd from 11 am to 1 pm at the Pioneer Woman Museum. The theme of the party is “Together, We See No Boundaries” and is being hosted by the Pioneer Woman Museum Advisory Board. Founding sponsors are First National Bank of Oklahoma, Eastman National Bank, Ponca City News, Home National Bank, RCB Bank, Cable One, Silvertop Farm & Vineyards, and Evans & Associates. Women and girls of all ages are invited to attend and wear tea party dress. Hats are optional, but strongly encouraged to add to the ambience of the event. Prizes will be given in several “hat” categories. Food and refreshments will be served. Admission for the event is $15, seating is limited, and tickets are available at the Pioneer Woman Museum. The event proceeds will be used for museum building repairs.

The Pioneer Woman Museum Woman of the Year award will be given during the event to Joyce Carol Thomas, Ponca City native and resident of Berkeley, California. Ms. Thomas is an African-American playwright, author and illustrator of more than 50 children’s books, winning numerous prestigious writing awards. The setting of some of her fictional works is in Ponca City. A graduate of Stanford University, Ms. Thomas is fluent in Spanish and French, and has traveled to Australia, China, Ecuador, Guam, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, and Nigeria. She has taught from grade school to the university level, including the University of Santa Cruz and Purdue University. Her last teaching appointment was as a full professor in the English Department at the University of Tennessee where she taught creative writing courses in poetry, drama, and fiction. Signed copies of her books will be available from Brace Books.

Mary Anne Potter, owner of Herban Renewal Farms and Pioneer Woman Museum Advisory Board Chairman, said that the event is being held to honor the special relationships in our lives, specifically those between sisters, friends, and mothers and daughters of all ages. “The motto of the Pioneer Woman Museum is “I See No Boundaries” and we really wanted to honor this same spirit with the relationships that help us overcome obstacles and enjoy our own pioneering journey through life. We also wanted to bring our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends to the museum to appreciate the journeys our pioneering ancestors have made and our living role models are making, such as Joyce Carol Thomas.”  Herban Renewal Farms will be providing special herb tea bags for each participant. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to purchase the teapot centerpieces at each table and teacup planters provided by the Pioneer Woman Museum Advisory Board.

Pioneer Woman Museum Director Jean Winchester indicated that the museum has several projects that will need funding this year. “In particular, the museum building and roof needs major repairs, both of which are critical to the operation of the museum,” Winchester said.

Mary Steichen, Co-Owner of Silvertop Farm & Vineyards and Museum Board Member, encourages women and girls of all ages to attend. “We are working hard to make this a special event that women and girls of all ages will enjoy,” Steichen said. “We are making this an annual fundraising event to help maintain the Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum, one of the main symbols representing Ponca City, for many years.”

Mary Anne Potter, Pioneer Woman Museum Board Chairman greets guests at the first annual Pioneer Woman Museum tea party held in 2009 at the Pioneer Woman Museum.

Contact Mary Steichen at 214.458.1340 or Dolley Rolland at 580.304.5696 for more information.