See Photo Slide Show ofFor Immediate Release:
Press release date: August 9, 2011
Event Date, August 23-27
Vinita's Calf Fry Festival/Cook-Off and Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo Anchor Five Days of True Oklahoma Entertainment
It's time to enjoy five-days of original Oklahoma entertainment with Vinita's 75th Annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo and the 32nd Annual World's Largest Calf Fry Festival and Cook-off, August 23-27. Again, the two great Oklahoma events combine to offer days and nights filled with amazing activities the entire family will enjoy.
The 75th Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo and the 32nd Annual World's Largest Calf Fry and Cook-Off once again unite to promise family fun with a parade, entertainment, specialty acts, a world-famous rodeo, softball tournament, cowboy games, crafts, vendors, live bands (including 2Steps Back and Jason Savory) and of course, the calf fry cook-off.
"The two events first were combined in 2009, and that combination has made a positive impact," said B.J. Mooney, executive director of the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Sharing the same dates and resources made everything bigger and better, and we look forward to an even greater turnout this year." The rodeo is held August 23-27, and the Calf Fry Festival and Cook-off take place on Saturday, the 27th. The Craig County Fair Grounds, the American Legion Arena, and the Bill Morgan Sporting Complex are the sites for the various activities, according to Mooney.
One of the premier rodeos in the Southwest, the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo is sponsored by American Legion, Post #40, the sponsor since its inception in 1935.
The annual rodeo is one of the biggest and best in the nation. Over the years, Vinita's American Legion Post 40 has spared no expense in making sure the rodeo attracts the top cowboy champions in the world who converge on Vinita to compete for thousands in cash prizes, Mooney explained. Gates at the American Legion Arena open at 7 p.m. nightly.
In addition, the Rodeo Parade ribbons through Vinita on Historic Rt. 66 on Wednesday, the 24th, starting at 11 a.m. The Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the parade.
Following the parade, All Settlers Day at the Craig County Fairgrounds Show Barn is the place to hang your hat for more fun including a band, door prizes and refreshments.
On the 27th, the Calf Fry and Cook-off take center stage. "Our Calf Fry is the premier event of its kind in the entire state," said Mooney, "and several teams compete each year for top honors and the distinction of being the winner of the World's Largest Calf Fry Festival and Cook-Off."
The event includes a horseshoe tournament, arts & crafts, vendor booths, softball tournament, cook-off competition, live entertainment, cowboy games, old-fashioned kids games (from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and more. The Vinita FFA will be selling Calf Fry dinners from 2:30 until sold out.
Calf-Fry sponsors include the City of Vinita, GRDA, PSO, Hospice of Owasso, Green Country Ford, C & L Supply, KAMO Power, First National Bank, 96.1 fm KITO, and Craig General Hospital.
Applications and more detailed information are available by contacting the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce at 918.256.7133 or www.willrogersmemorialrodeo.com, www.bigcountryweekend.com
Green Country Marketing Assn. is one of 11 multi-county organizations that work with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Assn. and the other 10 multi-county associations to promote the state tourism, a $6.2 billion industry. The Vinita Chamber of Commerce is a member of Green Country.
By Jeanette Swindell, Public Relations Consultant, Green Country Marketing Assn.
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Pictured above: Fun at the ATV Rodeo & Vinita's Mayor, Joe Johnson helping out the PSO cooking team.