Circle the wagons

'89er Parade expanded to bring weekend fun

By Carol Cole-Frowe

Transcript Staff Writer

Wagons ho.

A non-stop weekend of '89er-style, family-friendly festivities is planned for today, Friday and Saturday.

The '89er Days kick off at 6 p.m. today with the Lions Club '89er Days Weekend Carnival, moved to Cleveland County Fairgrounds at 615 E. Robinson St. It continues throughout the weekend.

Admission to the carnival is $20 per person per session for pay-one-price wristbands.

And Friday, the festivities get bigger.

The '89er Day Wagon Train Round-Up gets underway at the fairgrounds 7 p.m. Friday, with lots of free activities -- including the end of the trail for the '89er Wagon Train Association's 30th Annual Land Run Ride.

"We really wanted to do something on Friday night, and this just blossomed," said Charles Hollingsworth, who is chairing the '89er Days Weekend with Sean Crandall.

The wagons will set up camp for tales of trail rides, a bluegrass jam session and -- if Oklahoma's windy weather will cooperate -- a bonfire and American flag retirement.

Hollingsworth said the flag retirement will go on with or without the fire.

A rodeo roper and cow milking contest are also planned. Four cowboy-styled free "moon-bounces" will be on site for the kids.

Those attending are invited to "bring their guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or other instrument for the bluegrass open jam session to get warmed up for the '89er Day Bluegrass Festival on Saturday."? "We'll have hay for people to sit on," Hollingsworth said.

There will be concessions at the Lions Club Carnival, with snow cones being served up by the '89er committee.

"We just jumped at the fact that (Lions Club) are going to be part of our Friday night deal," he said.

Saturday, the '89er Day Parade starts rolling down Main Street at 10 a.m., starting at Norman High School and traveling to Crawford Avenue in downtown Norman.

The theme "Our Next Hundred Years" celebrates the beginning of Oklahoma's next century, with former long-time City Clerk Mary Hatley serving as grand marshal.?

Parade announcers and the judges' reviewing stand will be set up on the south side of the 500 block of Main Street.

Legendary University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer will ride with his grandchildren in the Citizens for a New Norman Public Library's vintage 1967 red Camaro convertible to promote the campaign for a new library. Switzer is the honorary chairman of the group.

Some other featured entries include the '89er Wagon Train Association, 77th Army Band from Fort Sill, Canadian Rivers Old Iron Tractor Club, antique and classic cars and trucks, roundup clubs, dancing groups and marching bands.

Teacher of the Year nominees will ride in the parade as will several state and national pageant winners and contestants.

Immediately after the parade, several Norman police officers and firefighters will be at the Norman Public Library for a Community Helpers Story Time in the north parking lot at 225 N. Webster Ave. The story time is estimated to start at 11:45 a.m.

Children and their families are invited to gather around a 1949-vintage fire truck for stories about community helpers told by Norman children's librarians Ms. Kim and Ms. Susan.

The '89er Days Bluegrass Festival starts at noon and goes to 5 p.m. in Ruth Updegraff Park at 500 N. Peters Ave., across the street from the Moore-Lindsay House Historical Museum at the corner of Acres Street and Peters Avenue.

The John Arnold Bluegrass Band, Southbound Mule and Graystone Blue Grass Revival will be featured at the festival.

More information on the weekend is at www.Norman89.com.

Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com