Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co. is hard to miss – it’s nestled in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District and offers a sprawling dining area with dark woods, light brick and teal chairs that invite you to come in and stay awhile. And while it could be said that Tulsa lacks a dynamic seafood scene, Peacemaker looks to fill in the gaps.
Begin with the raw bar, offering oysters, peel and eat shrimp, or the seafood sampler – with the aforementioned goodies plus mussels, clams and crab legs. If you’re craving the taste of the ocean in a major way, look at the ‘boils’ section of the menu. Choose shrimp, snow crab or lobster, which will be accompanied by potatoes, andouille sausage, corn on the cob and a buttermilk biscuit.
Poorboys – meat sandwiches originating in Louisiana – range from catfish to shrimp, oyster, buffalo crawfish and smoked brisket, and you can also opt for a roll with shrimp, crab or lobster. Don’t forget mouthwatering sides like fried green tomatoes, coleslaw, smothered collard greens, frog legs and crab cakes.
The joint also offers its own brunch food and cocktail menu, a full bar, soups, chowders and desserts like beignets, cheesecake, bread pudding and soft serve ice cream.
Chef Derrick Long, a Guthrie native, says Flint feels like “the home I’ve been searching for.” Photos courtesy the Colcord Hotel
When FLINT – a new American destination at the historic Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City – reopened last August after a major renovation, it felt like a breath of fresh air. The transformation of its interior features is complemented by the food, brunch menu, artisanal cocktails and award-winning wine selection, but at the heart of it all is the vision of chef Derrek Long.
“The idea is that we wanted to provide the best experience to everybody, whether you’re celebrating your anniversary, leaving the game at the Paycom Center or coming in from across the street at the Myriad Gardens,” says Long. “We are embracing these different techniques that have roots in the American South. We are taking Southern classics like meatloaf and chicken fried steak and bringing in a modern feel.”
For example – instead of using regular pounded out meat for his chicken fried steak, Long is utilizing the teres major cut instead.
“It’s super tender, one of the most tender cuts that you can get off the cow, and it’s delicious,” he says. “We put our house breading on it, which passed down to me from my father years ago. It definitely has some of the Oklahoma vibes of seasonings.”
Those Oklahoma roots are at the center of Long’s talent. Born and raised in Guthrie, Long grew up in his father’s restaurant, Gages Steakhouse, an historic mainstay in the city’s downtown area. At age 16, Long learned all aspects of the business. He later attended Platt College, completing a nine-month program in which he attended school nine hours a day and worked full time to expand his knowledge. He eventually became an instructor at Platt himself; he was 21, the youngest ever hired at the college.
Along the way, he developed his own culinary style.
“I worked in so many restaurants and with so many different types of cookery. I finally said, ‘You know what? Maybe I’m an American fusionist.’ I love looking at the cultures of food and seeing the story food has to tell,” he says. “I find the best parts of food from different nationalities and bring that into my style.”
But in all the places Long worked, he knew he wanted to end up at FLINT. For six years, everytime the executive chef position came open, he applied. Last year, the stars finally aligned.
“I applied and I got it,” he says. “It feels like the home I’ve been searching for the past 10 or 12 years of my career.”
Menu items at FLINT range from the blackened redfish and bacon-wrapped meatloaf to shrimp and grits, sauteed scallops and a hearty brisket-blend cheeseburger. The new bar area compliments the menu with a variety of both classic and craft cocktails. The drinks and Long’s menu can also be enjoyed on the new patio retreat called FLORA at The Colcord. For assistant general manager Justin George, the new look, feel and taste of FLINT is something both visitors and locals can enjoy.
“No matter what we did in the space, it had to remain comfortable,” says George. “That was our direction for chef – take the food that you know and present it in a beautiful way.”
Comfortability, rich tastes and Southern hospitality are what diners can expect from the newly-remodeled restaurant.
“America as a whole is a melting pot, and one of the things I want to do is embrace the core values of what Southern cooking means,” says Long. “When you walk into my restaurant, you expect to get a good meal on a good size plate. They get a meal that they would get from mom, but with an elevated feel.”
Chef Long’s Yeast Rolls
ITEMS NEEDED:
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Mixing bowl
Dough arm
Rubber spatula
Bench knife
INGREDIENTS:
12.75 oz. warm water
3 oz. honey
2 oz. olive oil
4 oz. milk
3 eggs
42 oz. all-purpose flour
1 oz. salt
2 oz. granulated sugar
1 oz. white pepper
2 oz. dry instant yeast
Prep Time: 35 – 40 minutes
Cook Temperature: 325 degrees
Cook Time: 10 minutes
METHOD:
Introduce all liquid ingredients into a mixing bowl except your water.
Introduce all dry ingredients into the mixing bowl except the yeast and flour.
Lightly stir the ingredients with a whisk until fully incorporated.
Bring the water to 120 degrees then introduce it into the mixture.
When the mixture is 79 degrees, introduce the yeast immediately while stirring to combine it thoroughly.
Allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes and reach a full bloom.
Once the yeast has fully bloomed, add the flour and place in the mixer at a low speed.
Remove the dough when it separates from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.
Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and allow it to rise until it has doubled in size, roughly 20 minutes.
After it rises, punch the dough to release the gases from the rising process, allowing the dough to relax.
Take the dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut it into 2.5 oz chunks and begin to form your dinner rolls.
Align the rolls evenly on sheet pan and place in your 325 degree oven.
After five minutes, rotate the pan so that the rolls cook evenly and cook for an additional five minutes.
Remove once they are golden brown and lightly glaze with salted butter.
South American gourmet food is the name of the game at Que Gusto, a hole-in-the-wall joint in downtown Tulsa. Handmade, organic and grass-fed cuisine awaits. Even better, there’s ample outdoor seating so you can enjoy the skyline and people watch while you nosh.
Snacks kick off your dining experience, with options ranging from parfaits and morning oats to yucca bread, fried plantains, smoothies and patacones (plantain chips.) Heartier options on the lunch and dinner menu include the beloved empanadas, which come with 5 ounces of your choice of beef, chicken, pork, veggies, tomato and cheese, or breakfast goodies– with ground pork, cheese, eggs and spinach. Don’t miss the slow roast pork sandwich, arroz con pollo, a quinoa and black bean salad or choripan, which comes with pork sausage, diced tomatoes and chimichurri sauce.
Weekly specials include arepas on Tuesdays and wild fish and shrimp stew on Friday and Saturday. Que Gusto also offers catering, alongside desserts, coffees, sodas and wines.
Cous Cous Cafe
Photo courtesy Cous Cous Cafe
You’ll experience Morocco and the Mediterranean in every bite at OKC’s Cous Cous Cafe.
The restaurant is also vegetarian and vegan friendly, so make sure to invite your herbivore pals or venture there for a healthy option!
Start with a variety of soups, salads or trio platters to hit all the right notes. If you want to venture out of your comfort zone, try a tagine – a North African aromatic stew. Options include salmon, chicken, lamb, beef and veggie, all coming with different combos of veggies, rice and meatballs.
Kabobs are another popular menu choice, with numerous meat options, plus herbs and spices, Moroccan salad and rice. The restaurant’s namesake is a must-try; there are lamb, veggie, moussaka and chicken iterations of the couscous. Burritos and sandwiches round out the menu, along with traditional desserts and drinks.
Photo courtesy Harmony House
Harmony House
A Muskogee mainstay, Harmony House offers just about anything you’d need for a delicious brunch, lunch or bakery treat.
Lunch items include comfort food favorites you won’t want to miss. Try the pimento cheese sandwich; the ‘Hobbit’ – a spicy grilled cheese with Pepper Jack, tomato and spinach; veggie burgers, taco soup, chef’s salads and so much more. Brunch options range from avocado toast to omelets, club sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
Harmony House’s bakery is where the magic happens. Try homemade cakes, cupcakes and pies with a variety of buttercreams, fillings and flavors. It’s also the place to go for wedding cakes, custom cakes and catering orders.
Katy’s Pantry
Photo courtesy Katy’s Pantry
Located in Enid, Katy’s Pantry has been sharing its family recipes with locals for over 40 years. The team believes that the best memories are made around the table, after all.
Comfort food abounds, from hearty vegetable beef soup to crisp salads. Highlights include the Pantry Salad, with spinach, mushrooms, eggs, bleu cheese crumbles, red onions, cheddar cheese, bacon and homemade croutons; as well as the Old Fashioned Garden Salad, with iceberg, romaine and leaf lettuce, fresh vegetables, cheddar cheese, turkey, ham and croutons. Other goodies include savory quiches, casseroles and made-to-order sandwiches. Make sure you try the BLT, Reuben, grilled French dip or the chicken avocado.
But the sweet treats really make Katy’s Pantry shine; they typically change daily, so make sure to call ahead if you’re looking for something specific. General offerings include cream and fruit pies, hand-iced cookies, breads, bars and cinnamon rolls.
While many of our major performing arts companies take the summer off, there are still plenty of shows to enjoy in June.
At the Tulsa PAC, Beatles fans won’t want to miss 1964 … The Tribute on June 7, which will wow audiences with what many believe to be the best Beatles tribute band in existence. Don’t forget to swing back by on June 20 for comedian Brad Williams.
Speaking of comedy, River Spirit Casino Resort offers two such performances this month: Andrew Schulz on June 15 and Oklahoma native Trey Kennedy on June 29. Other Tulsa offerings include magician/improv artist and actor Michael Carbonaro, June 15 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and the play Always a Bridesmaid, June 7-16 at the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse.
In Oklahoma City, visit the Civic Center Music Hall for The Flying Dutchman, presented by Painted Sky Opera. The show follows a sea captain, cursed to roam the waters for eternity until he finds his true love. Lyric Theatre welcomes Mary Poppins – the story of the quirky, lovable nanny – at the Civic from June 25-29. And you should make a trip to Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium for the stunning sounds of the musical trio Barnatan, Zorman and Peled.
Across the state, don’t miss Raise the Roof at Duncan’s Little Theatre, June 7-9; Sunday in the Park with George, through June 9 at the Ponca City Playhouse; and comedian Kevin Hart, June 22 at Thackerville’s Winstar World Casino and Resort.
If the summer weather is a little too sweltering for you, cool off in one of Oklahoma’s many world-class museums.
In Tulsa, Philbrook is debuting a new exhibition this month: Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding. Running June 5-Aug. 25, this show is the first career retrospective of the titular conceptual artist, featuring over thirty-five artworks spanning forty years. Another must-see at Philbrook is Timo Fahler: Shrug Atlas, which highlights the artist best known for works that combine earth, stained glass, metal rebar and plaster. You can visit the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art for Old Country to the Plains: Kosher Pop Sk8 Art through June 14. There, you’ll see 40 new artworks created by Steve Marcus specifically for the museum. Other shows at SMMJA include Jacob’s Ladder – highlighting “imaginative winged beings,” and Curator’s Curios – which digs into the museum’s Judaica collection. Both run until Dec. 31.
The Oklahoma City Museum of art debuts Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer on June 22. Presented by the The Ann Lacy Foundation, the retrospective showcases works from award-winning costume designer Edith Head, with 70 of her pieces. Head dressed stars ranging from Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers to Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Lake, Barbara Stanwyck and Kim Novak. The exhibition runs until Sept. 28. Other OKC offerings include the Prix de West Art Exhibition and Sale, happening at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum through Aug. 4; and Oklahoma Contemporary’s Eva Schlegel: Multiple Voices through Jan. 13.
Your social calendar will be jam-packed with community events this June.
In Tulsa, fans of pageant life should visit River Spirit Casino Resort June 5-8 for the Miss Oklahoma competition. The exciting Mecum Car Auction is another great draw, happening June 6-8 at Expo Square. One of the city’s most beloved traditions, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, returns June 7-9, with races in downtown Tulsa and on Riverside. Head to the Greenwood Historical District June 13-15 for the annual Juneteenth Festival, and circle back to Expo Square on June 22-23 for the Route 66 Roadfest, celebrating America’s Mother Road with displays, exhibitions and more.
In Edmond, the Endeavor Games kick off June 6-9; the tournament welcomes athletes with physical disabilities to compete in various sporting events. Also June 6-9, the deadCenter Film Festival returns to OKC, hailed as one of the Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. Get festive and patriotic a bit early with Libertyfest, happening citywide in Edmond from June 14-July 4. And all dads and father figures can venture to Scissortail Park on June 16 for the Father’s Day Fest.
Across the state, head to the Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival, June 7-8 at Rose State College in Midwest City, or get on the water for the Golden Eagle Poker Run, June 8 at Lake Eufaula. Other offerings include the Elk City Route 66 Festival, June 14-15 in Elk City’s Ackley Park; the Okie Noodling Tournament, June 14-15 auls Valley’s Wacker Park; the Muscogee Nation Festival, June 20-23 at Okmulgee’s Claude Cox Omniplex; and the Woolaroc Kidsfest, June 22-23 at Bartlesville’s Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve.
The Bikeriders; photo courtesy Focus Features, all rights reserved
Half the year has already passed, but the slate of quality movies keeps coming! June has a smattering of genres to choose from so hopefully you’ll find something on this list that can get you out of the summer heat for a few hours of cinematic bliss.
Start the month off with romance, action and comedy by setting your sights on Hit Man. Starring Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) and Adria Arjonas (Good Omens), the story follows an undercover police officer who poses as a hitman in order to arrest anyone who tries to hire him. Things take a turn when he attempts to save a woman in need. The teaser shows Powell in a variety of costumes, a winning smile paired with each. Directed by Richard Linklater (Before trilogy), it looks to have ample charm and likable leads to boot. It releases to Netflix on June 7.
For a supernatural horror, check out The Watchers. Directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of lauded (and sometimes panned) director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), this will be Ishana’s writing and directorial debut. Starring Dakota Fanning, the movie sees our protagonist stranded in a vast forest somewhere in Ireland. She becomes trapped with three others inside a shelter, where they are watched by mysterious creatures. Being that it’s directed by another Shyamalan, one can expect a big twist somewhere, but hopefully she doesn’t lean too heavily on the influences of her father when it releases on June 14.
Hit Man; photo courtesy Netflix, all rights reserved
For your drama film of the month, don’t miss The Bikeriders. Following a fictional Chicago outlaw motorcycle club in the 1960s, the plot takes place over a decade and watches the evolution of the club and its members. The cast includes Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), and looks to show a gritty and authentic side of motorcycle life. Originally scheduled for a release in December of 2023, it was delayed by the SAG-AFTRA Strike and will now open on June 21.
If you want a bizarre anthology film, check out Kinds of Kindness. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things), the set up seems to follow three unrelated characters, all dealing with their own issues. Once their stories are combined together, it forms a complete and strange narrative. Lanthimos is well known for his unconventional stories, and this looks to follow in that path directly. Emma Stone (La La Land), Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog), and Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse) all star in what will surely be a sight to behold when it releases on June 21.
Lastly, an epic two-part western film should satisfy anyone looking for a grand tale. Titled Horizon: An American Saga, the movie sees Kevin Costner returning to the director’s chair for the first time in twenty years, helming a giant piece on American history. Set during the American Civil War, the story depicts the expansion of the American West and includes a frankly gigantic cast with Costner, Sienna Miller (American Sniper), Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Giovanni Ribisi (Sneaky Pete) to name only a few. Chapter 1 releases on June 18, with Chapter 2 coming August 16.
Rachel Canuso Holt, the 13th president and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma (UWCO), has dedicated her career to helping those in need. A graduate of George Washington University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Holt has worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence, an Oklahoma County assistant district attorney and most recently as the Executive Director of Juvenile Affairs for the State of Oklahoma. We caught up with Holt and got her thoughts on …
Photo courtesy UWCO
… how her previous role prepared her to run the United Way.
Leading a statewide agency prepared me for working in sudden, unexpected situations and avoiding potential pitfalls. When collaborating with employees, children and partners across the state, I learned to be ready for just about anything. My goal is to empower our team to survive and thrive through adversity.
… her passion for helping those in vulnerable positions.
Community service became a part of my life in high school. I have witnessed both the need and reward from helping others. My first job after college was an advocate for domestic violence survivors applying for protective orders in the Washington D.C. Superior Court. During and after law school, I worked at the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office in the juvenile court system so I could continue to assist crime survivors. I truly enjoyed the collaborative work of juvenile justice.
After becoming a mother, this deepened my passion to work for the well-being of children. I have witnessed how dramatically the outcomes can differ for a child based on the circumstances to which they were born. This fuels me to work so that every child feels loved, supported and hopeful whether through the juvenile justice system, an interaction with a child at one of our United Way partner agencies, or supporting community services to strengthen families. We all have a duty to care for children. Every child could and should be your child.
… replacing former CEO Debby Hampton.
Debby Hampton’s dedication to Oklahoma nonprofits spans decades. She is a legend in nonprofit leadership and community-building. She is a force. She has left huge shoes for me to fill, but she was a strong support during the transition and continues to be a resource and a friend. Just knowing that she is there for me has been a huge asset.
… positive surprises.
My word of the year for 2024 is “inspired.” Every day I am inspired by our staff at Team United, our board members and their dedication of time and treasure to United Way, and our partner agencies and the work they do every day to truly change lives. It is an honor to be in this orbit of incredible people doing vital work.
… short- and long-term goals.
UWCO celebrated its centennial year in 2023. My goal is to continue the UWCO legacy of connecting people and resources to improve the well-being of those in our community. We want to engage new donors and volunteers and build our endowment fund. When people want to help, I want them to think of United Way and how sharing your time and resources with United Way makes a positive impact in our community. We want to engage the next generation of philanthropists so we may continue being a community builder and convener. There are so many issues to tackle and we need United Way engaged in key community conversations.
… a key moment that confirmed she’s in the right profession.
Ten years ago, I returned from a pause I took in my career to raise my children. I returned to the District Attorney’s office part time and then transitioned fulltime to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Consequently, the executive director left and ultimately, I was tapped to lead the agency through a global pandemic – certainly a milestone for me! I am proud that we made OJA a top juvenile justice agency in the nation.
… advice for those looking to get into philanthropy.
Find your passion. Find a nonprofit that is addressing a need close to your heart and support them financially, as a volunteer and/or as a social media follower and booster. My plug for you supporting United Way is that we vet and support 68 partner agencies in resourcing 140 proven programs so supporters know that their contributions make a deep, positive impact on our community.
Once an event to help farmers get rid of excess livestock, the Rooster Days festival now offers a parade, 5K, food and fun. Photo courtesy the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce
Like any great production or event, festivals require meticulous planning. Event organizers are responsible for bringing together various vendors, planning activities and cultivating unique experiences that will leave visitors excited to return the next year.
This spring, Oklahoma’s annual festivals are expected to draw upwards of 400,000 people. Learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at some of the state’s longest-running and most popular events.
Tulsa Mayfest
May 10-12 | Downtown Tulsa
Before its 50th annual celebration in 2023, Tulsa Mayfest’s future was uncertain. Ahha Tulsa – an arts organization which hosted the event at the time – shuttered suddenly.
Recognizing the importance of the festival, leaders at the University of Tulsa stepped up to the plate. And in Feb. 2023, the university officially acquired Tulsa Mayfest, along with the Hardesty Arts Center.
Dedicated to promoting the arts and humanities, TU has been working diligently to bring together a diversity of lineup of music, along with 140 visual artists and 50 performing artists for Mayfest this spring. Planning for the festival is a 12-month process, says Tricia Milford-Hoyt, vice president of marketing and communications at TU.
Along with an array of talented art vendors, Mayfest offers food, music and activities for kids. Photos courtesy the University of Tulsa/Tulsa Mayfest
“This not-for-profit event requires thousands of volunteer hours and sponsor dollars to come together,” she says.
The festival is estimated to draw more than 300,000 people. A few of this year’s musical performers include Samantha Crain, Paw Paw Rod, and Willie Jones, who collaborated with Beyoncé on her album Cowboy Carter.
Milfort-Hoyt shares that Mayfest will provide a multifaceted family space called Kids World in 101 Archer (previously the Ahha space) for the first time. Presented by WeStreet Credit Union, the area will feature hands-on activities and face painting for families to enjoy.
For a complete lineup of musical performances and activities, check out tulsamayfest.org.
Once an event to help farmers get rid of excess livestock, the Rooster Days festival now offers a parade, 5K, food and fun. Photo courtesy the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce
Rooster Days Festival
May 16–19 | Central Park, Broken Arrow
The Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce has worked almost year-round to bring one of the state’s oldest festivals, the 93rd annual Rooster Days Festival, to life.
“It is such a large festival, and there’s so many pieces to the puzzle. We start planning way ahead to ensure that we can provide the best festival for the community as possible,” says Lindsay Cunningham, marketing and communications director at the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce.
The Rooster Days Festival was formed by a local agricultural high school instructor in 1931. His idea was to help farmers get rid of their excess roosters, boosting the production of unfertilized eggs.
The festival has since evolved to include a 5K run, a Rooster Day Parade, live musical performances and more. Although roosters are no longer sold at the festival, visitors can say hello to the festival’s fowl mascot, Rosco.
This year, the festival will feature over 120 different food, marketplace and drink vendors. Cunningham shares that it will also offer an expanded beer garden and carnival.
The Casey West Band and Braden Jamison & the Neon Strangers are just a couple of the musical acts scheduled to take the stage.
Creating a lineup of bands requires expert coordination, Cunningham says.
“It’s not as easy to book a band as some people may think,” she says.
Organizers expect a turnout of about 35,000 people. To pull off an event of this scale, the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce relies on corporate sponsorships and the generosity of volunteers.
“We can’t do it alone,” says Cunningham.
To learn more about festival hours, parking and entertainment, visit roosterdays.com.
Chuck Wagon Festival
Hosted at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Chuck Wagon Festival presents family-friendly fun and a panoply of great food. Photo courtesy the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
May 25–26 | National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, OKC
In the Old West, chuck wagon cooks were considered some of the most important people in cattle drives. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City pays homage to this part of history through its Chuck Wagon Festival. Going on its 33rd year, the festival is one of the biggest events that the museum organizes.
The most important element is, without a doubt, the food. This year, the festival will include seven chuck wagons from three different states. Cooks will prepare popular cowboy-inspired dishes, like stew, cornbread and cobbler.
The festival also celebrates Native American cuisine, featuring food from Wolf’s Plate Catering, established by Pawnee professional chef Arthur “Sonny” Fields. Fields has been a long-time participant of the festival, serving up traditional dishes like fry bread and grape dumplings.
In addition to the fare, the Chuck Wagon Festival includes live music, Western reenactments, butter-making, bandana decorating and more. To snag tickets for the family-friendly event, go to nationalcowboymuseum.org/annual-chuck-wagon-festival.
Paseo Arts Festival
May 25-27 | Paseo Arts District, OKC
Amanda Bleakley, executive director of the Paseo Arts Association, describes the Paseo Arts District as one of Oklahoma City’s hidden gems.
“I still meet people on a regular basis who never knew it was here,” she says.
Nestled among residences, the district comes alive with creations from 90 juried artists, live music and food vendors in May. The festival is the Paseo Arts Association’s biggest annual fundraiser, drawing around 20,000 daily visitors.
Organizers began planning in October 2023. Part of the process includes narrowing down the pool of artist applicants.
“The quality of art goes up and up, and the applications increase every year,” says Bleakley. “We had 260 applications this year and about 85 open slots.”
The Paseo Arts Festival features over 50 live musical performances, including Edgar Cruz & the Brave Amigos, Uncle Zep, and Sophia Massad.
Visitors will get the chance to check out the district’s new $4 million streetscape as well. New sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping have improved the appearance and accessibility of the area. Bleakley says that there are many ways that people can show their support for the festival, which is going on its 47th year. Every year, the Paseo Arts Association sells T-shirts, posters and other merchandise to raise funds for its programming.
The organization also needs more than 400 volunteers to help staff the festival.
“This event couldn’t run without volunteers,” says Bleakley. “We really invite the community to be a part of this with us.”
Celebrating the magic of the Paseo Arts District, the Paseo Arts Festival presents a juried art show, hosting artists from around the country. Photos courtesy Paseo Arts Association
Road trip season is in full bloom, and although going out of state has its of pros, Oklahoma itself offers landmarks and roadside attractions a’plenty. Below you’ll find a list of entertaining, iconic and downright wonderful locations to help you start planning your multi-stop, Okie-centric route.
Pops 66
Photo courtesy Pops 66
660 OK-66, Arcadia
Opened back in 2007, Pops 66 is a roadside attraction, gas station and restaurant all rolled into one, located in Arcadia off Route 66. A giant neon structure in the shape of a soda bottle greets customers, and the glass walls of the building are lined with soda bottles, aesthetically arranged by beverage color. The sign itself, which is 66 feet tall and over 4 tons in weight, is lit up by rainbow LEDs each night. The establishment has won several architecture awards and has over 700 different beverages on sale, many of which are hard to find. There’s plenty of good food as well, from burgers and quesadillas to hand-dipped floats.
Photo courtesy Visit Tulsa
The Golden Driller
4145 E. 21st St., Tulsa
Standing at 75 feet tall and weighing over 43 thousand pounds, The Golden Driller is the sixth tallest statue in the United States. Located in Tulsa in front of the Expo Center, the figure was originally built in 1952 by the Mid-Continent Supply Company of Fort Worth, Texas, for the International Petroleum Exposition held in Tulsa from 1923 to 1979. After erecting the statue again in 1959, the company donated it to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. In 1979, the Oklahoma Legislature actually adopted the Golden Driller as the state monument.
Photo by G. Rice courtesy Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
21300 OK-28 A., Chelsea
Consisting of eleven unique objects and one building on 14 acres of land, Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is located in Chelsea about 3.5 miles east of Route 66. Constructed by the titular Galloway in 1948, the totem pole towers at 90 feet tall and include six tons of steel and 28 tons of cement. It is covered in Native American iconography, including portraits, symbols and animal figures. Restoration efforts have been performed several times since the ‘90s, most recently in 2020. An eleven-sided “Fiddle House” is also on the property, which is now a museum/gift shop and houses some of Galloway’s fiddles, furniture and portraits of U.S. presidents.
Photo courtesy The Outsiders House Museum
The Outsiders House Museum
731 N. St. Louis Ave., Tulsa
Located in Tulsa, the museum aims to maintain and preserve the house that was used for the film adaptation The Outsiders, based off the book by Tulsan S.E. Hinton. Estimated to have been built in 1920, the house was a private residence – other than its use in the film in the early ’80s. Danny Boy O’Connor, an American rapper, rediscovered the home while on tour in Oklahoma in 2009 and purchased it in 2016. With the help of friends, local businesses and even some celebrities, the house was slowly restored to its former glory, and was officially opened to the public in 2019. The collection includes clothes worn by the actors as well as over 500 editions of the book in several languages.
Photo by Rhys Martin
The Blue Whale
2600 OK-66, Catoosa
Originally created by Hugh S. Davis, The Blue Whale of Catoosa took two years – and plenty of cement and metal – to construct. The whale was originally created as an anniversary gift for Davis’ wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. But after noticing interest from passersby, Davis opened up the area for families to eat, swim and take photos. After Davis died in 1990, the attraction fell into disrepair and was closed. However, people in Catoosa and employees of a nearby hotel launched a fundraiser, and now the picnic area and whale itself have been restored for picnics and fishing.
