James Garner never forgot that he was from Norman. The star of stage and screen left his hometown at an early age but still comes back to see family and friends. He arrives in Norman today and faces a schedule that makes us tired just reading through it.
He has quite a few public events but some private ones, too. He still has some relatives here, back from the days when he was known as James Bumgarner.
Mr. Garner attended Wilson Elementary and will participate in that school's 75th anniversary celebration today.
Some time today, Mr. Garner's statue will be transported from The Crucible foundry and lifted onto the pedestal on Main Street, just east of the railroad tracks. Workers have been busy for the past month getting the plaza ready for the dedication at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
On Saturday morning, Mr. Garner will serve as grand marshal of the annual 89er Day parade. It commemorates the 117th anniversary of the land run that opened up central Oklahoma to settlers and the day Norman was founded.
