BY HANNAH EDMONDSON
TRAVELING TASTEMAKERS
Lifelong friendship and local roots can be traced across the features of OK/ LA, a seasonal exhibition at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Showcased together for the first time, Oklahoma-born artists Patrick Blackwell, Joe Goode, Jerry McMillan, Ed Ruscha, Paul Ruscha, and Mason Williams intertwine their works at the Norman museum. These Okie artists grew up in the Sooner state in the ’50s and ’60s and made their way to Los Angeles in pursuit of distinct artistic careers, each achieving his own success. The artists’ visions merge together for one spectacularly nostalgic display.
PUMP UP THE ’KINS
The Shepherd’s Cross Pumpkin Festival in Claremore promises dozens of games, a petting zoo, and plenty of pumpkins. Visitors can stroll on foot or take advantage of the all-new drive-through pumpkin patch, which sends guests home with toys, games, and crafts to enjoy without leaving the car. Those seeking a more exotic mode of transportation can try a wagon ride through the hay meadow, or maybe even a sheep-drawn covered wagon ride. Visitors are entertained from dusk to dawn with fall storytime and a slew of educational demonstrations. Just be sure to make it through the hay maze before the sun goes down.
A CAROLING CHRISTMAS
Lyric Theatre celebrates its diamond anniversary production of A Christmas Carol in a brand new, festive way. This year, the company’s holiday production will premiere at Oklahoma City’s Harn Homestead, an outdoor venue decked out to stage Charles Dickens’ Victorian-era classic. The Christmas village setting will transport audiences to a distant atmosphere for their favorite holiday tale. Only a hundred guests will be admitted for each performance, so be sure to reserve a front-row seat for Scrooge’s story.
ROGER THAT
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in downtown Claremore is a fitting venue to host the Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival. Contemporary filmmakers from across the globe will come together to compete for the Dog Iron Award while celebrating one of Oklahoma’s most beloved film icons. The festival is an online event that begins on Rogers’ birthday and will continue through the weekend. To honor the Oologah native’s youthful spirit, log on for this virtual birthday party celebration.
FUEL UP
Get the morning started on a high note with Coffee & Cars at Chisholm Creek. This free and family-friendly spectacle is founded on the belief that automobile enthusiasm pairs best with a hot cup of coffee, which is why car junkies from across the state gather in Oklahoma City for a morning of auto admiration and fresh java. Donuts also will be provided, but guests better arrive early if they want to snag plenty of pastries. Come enjoy an event where donuts in the parking lot becomes a tasty double entendre.
CHEERS TO THE VETS
The twenty-fourth annual Ponca City Veterans Day Parade will bring barbecue, bugle boys, and even a few bagpipes to downtown Ponca City for a memorable afternoon. This celebration of the troops features airplane flyovers, performances from local cheerleading teams, and a procession to showcase the veterans at the center of the momentous occasion. After the parade, a special concert by the Fort Sill Army Band will be held in War Memorial Park, and tanks, military displays, and reenactments will fill the area with festive entertainment. In addition to these attractions, there will be a barbecue spread big enough for all to enjoy.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE AND READY TO RIDE
Squeeze into those old bike shorts and prepare to cruise with a gorgeous view. The Hills of Oklahoma Tour in Davis promises a feast for the eyes and stomachs, as a free lunch will be provided for all riders. Participants can choose to take on a thirty-mile, fifty-mile, or sixty-four-mile route. Each journey will feature the stunning landscape of the Arbuckle Mountains—a sight pretty enough to take your mind off all the exercise.
MAKERS AND TAKERS
Check off every gift on your list this year at the Elk City Christmas Craft Show & Gift Expo. The Elk City Convention Center will abound with goods to grab just in time for the holidays. Exhibitors from several states bring more than a hundred booths stocked with ceramics, handmade jewelry, home decor, and a plethora of treats. Round out every wish list with leather goods, hunting and fishing gear, and numerous collectible items. For those willing to shop ’til they drop, fresh onion burgers and other savory snacks will be sold onsite to keep the spree going strong.
SHOP AROUND
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Let Them Eat Cake, Cookies, Pie, Etc.
The Pastry Nook in Enid reigns supreme over northwestern Oklahoma’s sugar scene.
LIFE Of SLICE
OH, PIZZA. THAT MOST BELOVED OF ENTRÉES. WHILE THERE ARE AS MANY WAYS TO ENJOY PIZZA AS THERE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, THESE OKLAHOMA RESTAURANTS KNOW HOW TO DO PIE RIGHT.
SWEET LOVE
Drizzle it over biscuits, use it to sweeten a cup of tea, or just sneak a spoonful out of the jar every now and then—there’s nothing like Oklahoma honey.
Hungry for Taters
Though this historic restaurant may seem off the map, its antique charm, hospitality, and service proves why it’s been around for nearly a century.
Veggie Tales
Oklahomans are adding plant-based items to their menus for a more health-conscious, colorful, and inclusive culinary experience.
Let's Make a Meal
Reckoning with a return to restaurants, our mutual responsibility, and memories of shared tables long past
FOOD WORTH THE DRIVE 2021
FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR RUNNING, OKLAHOMA TODAY’S EDITORS TRAVELED TO EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE TO BRING BACK WORD OF THE MANY WONDERS OF OUR SHARED CULINARY SCENE. WHETHER YOU’RE CRAVING A CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK, CAJUN DELIGHTS, INDULGENT DESSERTS, OR JAPANESE SOUL FOOD, OUR GUIDE TO OKLAHOMA’S DRIVE-WORTHY EATERIES IS HERE TO HELP.
food fighters
AS A PANDEMIC THREATENED TO SHUTTER THEIR BUSINESSES FOR GOOD, OKLAHOMA RESTAURANT OWNERS MARSHALED THEIR COURAGE, GRIT, AND CREATIVITY TO MAKE DINING OUT A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL.
Daily Special
Whether satisfying hunger or providing work experience, Special Kneads is making Shawnee stronger.
Bobbing for Apples
Though there may be apples on the brain at this cidery, a beer-like experience is in store for those who venture to OK Cider Co.
WATCH OUT LA: FEDS CALCULATE RISKIEST, SAFEST PLACES IN US
Spending her life in Los Angeles, Morgan Andersen knows natural disasters all too well. In college, an earthquake shook her home hard. Her grandfather was affected by recent wildfires in neighboring Orange County.
Harvest Fest Event Recap: Woodstock Meets Sturgis
Just a short scenic drive east from Tulsa lies a utopia of sprawling campsites and natural beauty known as Copperhead Rally Grounds in Spavinaw, Oklahoma.
EVEN-KEELED ACE
The Angels’ Dylan Bundy has succeeded in ways that would not have been predicted a decade ago
YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE with Kal Penn
As we get closer to the election (national, state and local), we've all been thinking about the issues, what we want our next 4 years to be and who will get us to where we want to go. This month's cover is Kal Penn who we have enjoyed in House MD, Designated Survivor and of course the Harold and Kumar movies. Kal has always had an interest in civics and even took time from acting to serve during the Obama Administration as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.
OKLAHOMA
Explore nature underwater and topside in this landlocked prairie state
GWEN & BLAKE: IT'S TWINS
SPECIAL DELIVERY! ON MOTHER’S DAY, 50-YEAR-OLD GWEN STEFANI TOLD FAMILY SHE AND BLAKE SHELTON ARE EXPECTING.
Ride & Train
BEING ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY ask your horse to slow down from a faster speed is an important maneuver in an event like reining where you’re required to go from fast to slow multiple times and make it look effortless. Outside of the showpen, it’s a great way to see how well your horse is listening and responding to your cues.
UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS
The 49ers have had notable success since the arrival of the John Lynch/Kyle Shanahan regime both identifying and developing young prospects who went unselected in the NFL draft. Following a trend that began in 2017, the 49ers have had 17 undrafted rookie free agents make their active 53-man roster over the past three seasons, including four last year on a team that featured one of the NFL’s most talented rosters and best rookie draft classes. With that roster teeming with talent coming off a Super Bowl appearance, it keeps getting more difficult for an unheralded rookie to make the team. But don’t count out any of the 10 undrafted rookie free agents signed by the 49ers in late April from making an impact as they fill the final berths on the 90-man roster San Francisco will take into training camp this summer.
Day's End: Big Running Dog
“Where is your dog, Joe?”
Coastal Style in Oklahoma
You don’t need a water view to create the look and feel of seaside living.