ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
April means Muskogee ’ s abloom with
Azalea Festival action
Derryl Perry / Matt Hundley Cherokee Casino Ramona , OK
Gladys Knight Clans Casino First Council Newkirk , OK
Dirty Saints Lost Creek Saloon ( Bordertown Casino ) Wyandotte , OK
Cirque du Soleil-OVO Chesapeake Energy Arena OKC , OK
Gary Kyle Gilley ’ s ( Choctaw Casino ) Durant , OK
The Michael Updegrove Band Parrot Beach Bar & Grill ( Choctaw Casino ) Durant , OK
Blues Traveler Centerstage ( Choctaw Casino ) Pocola , OK
ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
April means Muskogee ’ s abloom with
Azalea Festival action
By Joe Mack
MUSKOGEE , Okla . – There ’ s no denying that Muskogee is growing . Look at all the development on Shawnee Bypass , Highway 69 , the downtown corridor . Take a peek in Honor Heights Park and you ’ ll see that thousands of azaleas are ready to pop or are already popping . In return , we shall rejoice and celebrate 50 years of Muskogee ’ s annual Azalea Festival !
thrown , so be sure to get the kids out and ready for free goodies . That same day you can enjoy the 10 th annual Cruizaders Car & Truck Show at First Baptist Church on Okmulgee in downtown , adjacent to the Muskogee Civic Center , where the tastiest party in town – the Exchange Club Chili Cook-off – is going down ! Prizes will be awarded in several categories from Best of Show to Long Distance . To enter or learn more information , visit www . muskogeecruizaders . com or call ( 918 ) 682-3496 . Or you can venture into St . Paul United Methodist Church for the annual Quilting Under the Stars display .
Pops 6 : Under the Streetlamp Civic Center Music Hall OKC , OK
Oreo Blue Club 60 West Bar ( Wyandotte Nation Casino ) Wyandotte , OK
Cody Jinks / Whitey Morgan / Ward Davis Diamond Ballroom OKC , OK
Interlaced The Hunt Club Tulsa , OK
Steve Coleman Junior ’ s Supper Club OKC , OK
Paul Maloy / Jeweltone Trio / The Upright Band Plumb Theatre Eufaula , OK
Society of Broken Souls Red Brick Bar Norman , OK
LOCASH Paradise Cove ( River Spirit Casino ) Tulsa , OK
Dang Djangos Soul City of Tulsa Tulsa , OK
Todd Golnic 5th Annual Gurney Show ! Soundpony Tulsa , OK
Azalea Fest The heart of Azalea Festival can be found all month long at Honor Heights Park in Muskogee , where you can drive or stroll amongst thousands of azaleas in countless variations . It ’ s literally a springtime sensory overload with birds , bees and butterflies in full effect . There ’ s also plenty of recreational activities to enjoy in the 130-acre park , from playgrounds to fine art to occasional Symphony in the Park happenings . Learn more about Honor Heights Park at www . muskogeeparks . com .
Azalea Parade & Car Show The Azalea Festival fire really gets ignited with the Azalea Parade , set to begin at 10 a . m . on Saturday , April 8 . Dozens of school organizations , civic groups , marching bands , and a smattering of locals will run a cruise through downtown , and thousands will line the streets to wave back ! Candy will be
Exchange Club Chili & BBQ Cook-Off Can you believe that for 33 years now the economy boosting Muskogee Exchange Club has given us the tastiest ticket in town ? The Chili & BBQ Cook-Off fun begins Friday , April 7 , with the Cooks ’ Party ( because award winning brisket , ribs and chili doesn ’ t happen over the course of an afternoon ). Beginning bright and early on Saturday , April 8 , dig into the official Chili & BBQ Cook-Off has to offer . Of course , catching the Azalea Parade first and working up and appetite is probably to your benefit . Tasting kits are only $ 10 ( or two for $ 15 ), and there will be plenty of beverage and non-chili / BBQ options available for picky eaters . Live music , street entertainers , kid ’ s activities , pony rides , and lite carnival fare will populate the Muskogee Civic Center parking lot from 11 a . m . – 5 p . m .
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