MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS
Communities throughout the state are celebrating the unofficial start of summer this weekend. Festivities to honor the troops, showcase the arts and put the kicks on Route 66 are planned across Oklahoma during Memorial Day weekend.
Here is a sampling of the events planned around the Sooner State:
45th Infantry Division Museum's Memorial Day Ceremony: The ceremony honoring U.S. service members will include the massing of the colors and patriotic music. The keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. Cynthia Tinkham, assistant adjutant general for Oklahoma. It begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the museum, 2145 NE 36. Admission is free. Information: 424-5313. Cirque Italia, Shawnee: Billed as the first traveling Italian Water Circus, this touring outfit is bringing its new production "Aquatic Spectacular," with a 35,000-gallon water stage featuring performers from around the world, to the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, 1700 W Independence Street. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets and information: www.cirqueitalia.com.
29th annual Chuck Wagon Festival: The family favorite features outdoor cooking, children's activities, live music and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63. Information: www. nationalcowboymuseum.org.
Bethany 66 Festival: Free festivities include live entertainment, a car, truck and motorcycle show, a children's princess and action hero parade, arts and crafts booths and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the one-block area a one-block area from 38th Street north to NW 39 Expressway, between Peniel and Asbury avenues. Information: www.bethany66.com.
43rd annual Paseo Arts Festival: The festival feature almost 100 visiting artists, plus dozens of neighborhood artists, along with 50-plus Oklahoma entertainers, 20 food vendors, two children's art areas, free shuttle service and more. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with live music until 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday in the Paseo Arts District, between NW 28 and Walker Avenue and NW 30 and Dewey Avenue. Admission is free. Information: www. thepaseo.org.
Boley Rodeo and BBQ Festival: The historic event features barbecue, a parade, motorcycle rally and more. The parade begins at 3 p.m. Saturday and the motorcycle rally at 2 p.m. Sunday, both on Boley's Main Street. The rodeo has been canceled this year because the rodeo grounds are saturated with rainwater. Information: 918-667-9790.
Fifth annual Route 66 PatriotFest, Tulsa: This family-friendly event includes a Route 66 cruise, car and motorcycle cruise, food trucks, live music, a traveling military museum and more from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 3770 Southwest Blvd. Information: www.rt66patriotfest.com.
13th annual Rocklahoma, Pryor: The popular threeday camping and rock music festival rocks Friday through Sunday at the Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds (formerly the “Catch The Fever” Festival Grounds), 1421 W 450 Road, off U.S. 69 north of Pryor. This year's festival will feature more than 40 current and classic rock acts, including Korn, Disturbed, Shinedown and many more. Information: www.rocklahoma.com.
Clinton Route 66 Festival:
Activities include a car show, sidewalk chalk contest, wiener dog races and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by a free concert at 7 p.m., in downtown Clinton. Information: 66festival. com.
Artesian Arts Festival, Sulphur: The event will include artwork from numerous Native American artists, live music, tribal dance demonstrations, artist talks, food vendors, children's activities, a senior citizens' arts and crafts booth and more at the Artesian Plaza, adjacent to the Artesian Hotel, 1001 W First Street. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Information: chickasaw. net/artesianfest. Bricktown Beach opens for the season: For the fourth year, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership and The Bricktown Association, with the help of JE Dunn Construction Group, are bringing back the pop-up beach with more than 150 tons of sand, plus umbrellas, lounge chairs, sand volleyball equipment, outdoor games and more. A “Beach Hut” is staffed by Downtown Guides, who will check out game equipment and help visitors. Located on the Third Base Plaza at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, it will open through the mid-September. Information: www. DowntownOKC.com.
24th annual Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, Muskogee: The familyfriendly festival includes magicians, musicians, jugglers, jesters and other medieval-style performers, festive food and shopping for handcrafted items. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through June 2 at the Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W Fern Mountain Rd. The festival is also open on Memorial Day. Information: www.okcastle.com.