Many community-minded individuals, businesses and organizations have joined forces to prepare for this weekend’s Eufaula Heritage Days celebration, which marks the 150th anniversary of the town that was formed decades before statehood.
Many community-minded individuals, businesses and organizations have joined forces to prepare for this weekend’s Eufaula Heritage Days celebration, which marks the 150th anniversary of the town that was formed decades before statehood.
A full day of activities will take place this Saturday, May 14, thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Eufaula, Xtreme Resorts, Under One Roof, the Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town and a host of others.
The Eufaula Indian Journal is proud to be part of the celebration.
It is the oldest newspaper in Oklahoma, founded in 1876 – making this the 146th anniversary of the publication that has followed the evolution of the town almost from the beginning.
The beginning can be traced back to the 1830s when the Muscogee (Creek) Nation was forced out of its ancestral home in Alabama and settled in this part of Indian Territory after traveling the Trail of Tears.
A Eufaula community was established, similar to the Eufaula community in Alabama, but it moved several times through the years, eventually putting down its present roots about the time the M. K. & T. railroad established a depot in this area in 1872.
One of the many highlights of this year’s Heritage Days will be the coronation of William Max “Bud” McCombs and Charlotte Turner as Mr. and Ms. Heritage.
McCombs has traced his paternal family back to the Trail of Tears. His maternal family arrived in Indian Territory by covered wagon in 1905.
Turner, 91, was born and raised in Stidham. She moved to Eufaula 1985. Turner is of Creek descent. Her paternal family moved into the territory in the late 1800’s.
The honorees will be in the Heritage Day Parade, which begins at the high school at 1 p.m. and ends at Posey Park, where a ceremony in their honor will be held at 2 p.m.
Past Mr. and Ms. Heritage Days are expected to join in Saturday’s celebration, including the parade.
The day of non-stop activities begins at 7:30 a.m. with a car show sponsored by Xtreme Resorts. Because of the high lake level, the show has been moved from the Pavilion on Lakeshore Drive to the Xtreme Amphitheater. The show ends at 2 p.m.
The Xtreme Cove Car Show registration is from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
There will be hot rides, hot rods, a DJ, and a 50/50 Raffle benefiting Santa’s Soldiers of McIntosh County. Also a bike rally / poker run, family fun and a concert at Xtreme Amphitheater at 5 p.m. and more! First and second place trophies for most classes. The first 50 registrants receive a goodie bag. To register your ride, please email xtremeresortok@ gmail.com or call (918) 707-5636 for more details on registration and vendor spots.
Jellystone Park will honor Tommy Akers in recognition for his “humble leadership and dedicated service over the years to the young people of McIntosh County.”
Xtreme will host a number of events, including a Poker Run that begins at 8 a.m. at Xtreme Amphitheater and ends at 11 a.m.; a Tie-Die Shirts events at Yogi’s Campground from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a free Mini Golf Tournament from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A free concert will be held at the Amphitheater starting at about 5 p.m.
The Eufaula Area Museum at 118 Selmon Road will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. who want to explore the town’s past through pictures, books and memorabilia.
There will be historic Native American displays by the Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town at the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The displays will include pictures and history of the local Mvskoke churches, ceremonial grounds, historic sites and the Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town. There will be an Indian Taco sale at the center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is carry-out.
In other events, a pie eating contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Posey Park.
Also at Posey Park, there will be an Arts & Crafts Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Booths are available to rent. Nonprofit/historical booths are available for no fee. Profits from booth rental benefit the Eufaula Backpack Buddies Program.
If you are interested in renting booth space for arts and crafts/products/nonprofit/food trucks, contact me through FB Messenger or contact the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce. Booths rent for $50, food trucks $75.
