Community organizations are coming together to prepare for this weekend’s Eufaula Heritage Days celebration, which marks the 151st anniversary of the town that was formed decades before statehood.
A full day of activities will take place this Saturday, May 20, thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Eufaula, Xtreme Resorts, Under One Roof, the Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town, Eufaula Library, Eufaula Museum 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 147th anniversary of the publication which has followed the evolution of the town almost from the beginning.
The beginning of Eufaula 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.
Heritage Days was formed to celebrate Eufaula’s rich heritage and honor citizens who have made an impact through time.
One of the many highlights of this year’s Heritage Days will be the coronation of Jo Beth Barton and Johnny Sellers as Mr. and Mrs. Heritage.
The honorees will be in the Heritage Day Parade, which begins at the high school at 1 p.m. A ceremony will be held in their honor at 2 p.m. at the Eufaula Community Center.
Past Mr. and Ms. Heritage are welcome to join in Saturday’s celebration, including the parade.
The day of non-stop activities begins at 9 a.m. including Indian Tacos, arts and crafts, Boat and RV Show, parade, music, Mr. and Mrs. Heritage presentation and pie eating contest held outside the Community Culture Church, sponsored by the Eufaula Area Museum.
The Chamber will host a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. for the newly placed Jefferson Highway signage at Posey Park. The sign will be one of six new Jefferson Highway signs that will be placed throughout Eufaula, marking Eufaula’s location along the historical Jefferson Highway.
Entertainment will begin at 10 a.m. with Dale Moser & The Blackhorse Band who will perform at the Bank of Eufaula parking lot throughout the day until 1 p.m.
Come to town ready to shop as area businesses will be open and throughout town there will be an Arts & Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Keep your eyes open for the Lawbreakers and Peacemakers who will be making appearances throughout Main Street from 10 a.m – 4 p.m.
After shopping, head on over to the library and grab a seat for “Tales from the Black West” at 1:45 and 3 p.m. at the Eufaula Memorial Library Meeting Room. The program celebrates the lives and accomplishments of over 30,000 African Americans who served in the role of cow punching (herding cattle) in the American Old West.
Mark your calendar and come out Saturday to celebrate 151 years of heritage and enjoy the day in downtown Eufaula.
At a glance Eufaula Heritage Day Agenda 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town serving Indian Tacos at the Community Center 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts & Crafts vendors open on Main Street 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Boat & RV Show at Xtreme RV Resort 10 a.m. Ribbon Cutting for Jefferson Highway at Posey Park 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dale Moser & The Blackhorse Band performing north of Bank Eufaula 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the Lawbreakers and Peacemakers will be downtown 1 p.m. Parade on Main Street 1:45 & 3 p.m. Tales from the Black West located in the Library Meeting Room 2 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Heritage presented at the Community Center 2:30 p.m. Pie Eating Contest outside of Community Culture Church (sponsored by the Eufaula Area Museum) 6 p.m. Doors open for the Outlaw Eagles Tribute Show at Legacy on Main Street (ticketed event) (See Mr. and Mrs. Heritage Day on page A8)
