Volume 11 , Issue 38

2009 - 116th Anniversary Cherokee Strip Celebration

Roy in Perry, Oklahoma says, "Yesterday (Tuesday, September 15, 2009) saw the opening of the Noble County Fair and the beginning of our celebration of the 116th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land-run.

It was also the day of the 25th annual FREE barbecue served by the Exchange Bank of Perry, which took place in their Drive-thru area with a fantastic meal catered by Sooners Corner Restaurant and with continuous music provided by The Country Travelers western swing band. This event is an annual 'party' provided by the directors and employees of the bank in appreciation of their customers of 113 continuous years.

Today (Wednesday) saw the opening of the carnival, located again this year just one block south of our historic courthouse square. It will be open through Saturday, September 19th, which is the BIG day of the annual Cherokee Strip Celebration.

"On that day there will be continuous entertainment in and around 'the square beginning about 8 a.m. and lasting until after dark. The big parade should begin at 10 a.m. and usually lasts until about 11:30 a.m. just in time for folks to line up at the various food booths where we can find highly delectable ethnic foods of all kinds.

"The entertainment will continue throughout the afternoon with local and nearby talent performing at the band-stand. It's capped by an annual rodeo that takes place at the rodeo grounds (just behind the football stadium) and usually a street dance near the Noble County Courthouse. Naturally, it's all for fun and fun for all.

"The weather guys said there was no possibility of rain! The moisture was just beginning to come down when I fed my dogs a little before 8 a.m. and was raining hard enough that I had to use the wipers as I drove to my shop.

"Then I discovered that there were enough cars parked in front of my place that I almost couldn't find a parking place, but went past and turned around in order to squeeze in (from the other direction) in a tiny space they left just in front of my 'no parking' sign.

"I picked up my video camera and the tripod along with a jacket and umbrella, and then walked over to Jim Franklin's sculpture studio where I set up (under an awning) to photograph the parade. The rain quit just as the parade was beginning and I moved my camera closer to the street.

"The parade lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. It had been shortened some because at least one band canceled due to the weather and there were some other folks who also didn't show up. All in all though, it was a good performance and even had our own Travis Brorsen and his dog Presley (the winners of "THE GREAT AMERICAN DOG" show that ABC had a short series on) plus the second place winners (who also performed for us in the park later) and afterwards, I shot another four hours of the entertainment in the park.

"Our 'big band' shortened its performance at the band-stand by cutting a couple of numbers in order to give some extra time to the acts that followed, and to give some of their members some spare 'traveling' time. Even though our 'big band' is composed of former students and some out of town band directors, some of the guys and gals travel 60 to 90 miles each way to practice (on Thursday nights) and to perform (and they do it for the love of playing music. No one gets paid and they are non-union).

"Oh yes. While shooting video of the parade, I also shot 25 stills with my little pocket digital camera. This way you can see some of the stuff you missed by not being here.

"The weatherfolks on channel nine this evening said that there was some rain after all, but that it happened about 30 miles southeast of us. We should have had them here to watch some folks sliding around on the wet pavement.

"Also, I noticed that the local Conoco station had raised the price of regular gas from $2.33.9 up to $2.39.9 as of Friday, just in time to make some extra profit from the crowd that came to our celebration."
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