NEWS RELEASES

YOUTH EXPO HIGHLIGHTS MARCH ACTIVITY AT STATE FAIR PARK

OKLAHOMA CITY —  State Fair Park is proud to have once again been the location of the nationally renowned arts & crafts show known as “An Affair of the Heart.”  This year, the event celebrated its 27th Anniversary at State Fair Park.  The spring version was held February 10 through 12.  The event occupied all seven exhibit buildings at State Fair Park and showcased some of the finest crafts, antiques, collectibles and art in the Southwest.  The show featured not only exhibitors and artisans from Oklahoma but also many from across the nation.  “An Affair of the Heart” drew almost 23,000 devoted fans and placed over $2.3 million worth of direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. READ MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY —  The International Finals Rodeo returned to State Fair Park, January 13, 14 and 15.  The top 15 money-winning cowboys and cowgirls from the International Pro Rodeo Association competed in the seven traditional rodeo events for the coveted IPRA World Championship titles.  The event drew a total of 18,190 spectators to the four go ‘rounds, generating over $2.5 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. The 30th Annual Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show occupied four buildings at State Fair Park, January 20 through 22.  This show is considered by many to be Oklahoma City’s largest home & garden expo, drawing over 20,000 spectators and participants.  At this prestigious and diverse show, patrons were able to find terrific ideas, expert advice, top-quality products and first-rate services to meet all of their home improvement needs.  The show had a direct spending impact on Oklahoma City of over $1.6 million. READ MORE

January 18, 2012

STATE FAIR PARK CLOSES OUT ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR

OKLAHOMA CITY — The 2011 horse show season came to a close at State Fair Park during the month of December. State Fair Park continues to offer the finest equine facilities in the nation, attracting the top horse shows and equine events from multiple breeds and disciplines, thus maintaining the title of “Horse Show Capital of the World.” December featured the 26th Annual World Barrel Racing Futurity, Sweepstakes and Derby. It took place at State Fair Park, beginning December 5 and running through December 11. Of the hundreds of barrel futurities held each year throughout the United States, the Oklahoma City event heads the list. Nearly 1,300 entries competed for over $750,000 in cash and awards. Taking home the Futurity Championship was Kebo Almond, riding the bay stallion – HM Cornerstone. This show drew 36,400 spectators and participants and had a direct spending impact of over $8.5 million on Oklahoma City. READ MORE

December 5, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY — The American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show was the anchor of the activities that took place at State Fair Park during the month of November.  Commonly referred to as “The World,” the AQHA World Championship Show is the richest and largest world championship horse show with classes for open and amateur competitors.  This year marked the 38th Anniversary of the show, which ran November 5 through 19. Highlighted at this year’s show was the crowning of the AQHA All-Around Amateur and Superhorse.  Chex This Dually owned by Donald Tisdall of Castle Rock, Colorado was named the Farnam Superhorse, signifying Chex This Dually as the winningest all-around American Quarter Horse at the World Show.  The 2001 sorrel gelding earned 49 points in three classes.  The winning owner receives $25,000 plus $2,000 of Farnam products, a WeatherBeeta blanket and an original Lisa Perry bronze. READ MORE

November 22, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY — The United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) has signed a Letter of Agreement, extending the current contract for their Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The event will remain at State Fair Park, in Oklahoma City, through the year 2016. This is the most recent equine event to extend their relationship with Oklahoma City and State Fair Park, following in the footsteps of the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association’s World Show.  These two shows also both signed contract extensions over the past few months. READ MORE

November 7, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY — The leaves have started to turn, and that signals a busy time at State Fair Park.  The fall horse show season at State Fair Park has started and runs through the middle of December. Thirty-seven years ago, a tradition began in Oklahoma City that celebrates the history and beauty of a truly stunning animal, the Morgan Horse.  The 2011 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was deemed successful with over 1,000 entries of the world’s best Morgan horses competing from across the United States, Canada and overseas.  The horses competed in over 250 classes for over $250,000-plus in prize money, October 8 through 15.  “This horse show is where the best of the best Morgans compete and World Champions are crowned.  It was history in the making!” says show manager Fred Nava.  Event organizers recently signed a five-year contract extension that will keep this show in Oklahoma City through 2017.  The Morgan Horse Show drew over 53,000 spectators and participants, producing over $12.4 million in direct spending into the economy of Oklahoma City. READ MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Great State of a Fair 2011 dominated the month of September at State Fair Park.  In addition to this flagship event, the month also played host to one other event. The State Fair got off to a somewhat slow start as rain plagued Opening Day, the first Friday and then again on Saturday evening.  The rain was out of the area starting on Sunday and remained nice throughout the remainder of the 11 day run.  As a result of the rainy weather, the overall attendance was down slightly over 18% to approximately 900,000 fairgoers.  This annual family-friendly event still managed to generate over $96.5 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. READ MORE

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — The Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City will host the Oklahoma State Final of the 30^th Annual Texaco Country Showdown, America’s largest country music talent search. The show takes place on the Chesapeake Energy Stage, September 22 at 7:30 pm. Contestants at this year’s Texaco Country Showdown Oklahoma State Final represent radio stations: KYKC Ada; KEYB Altus; KNID Enid; KTNT Eufaula; KBEL Idabel; KKEN Lawton; KTFX Muskogee; KKOW Pittsburg, KS; and KWFX Woodward. READ MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY — Come and be a part of the 35^th Annual Oklahoma State Fair_® Golden Age Celebration and help celebrate another exciting year of being a part of the Great State of a Fair!  2011 introduces some incredible new activities as well as some of the old favorites like the royalty contests and Senior Swing Dance. Senior Citizens’ Day is Wednesday, September 21 and all Seniors Citizens 55 and over are admitted to the Fair FREE on this day. READ MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY — Tomorrow is our 60th Anniversary of the Oklahoma State Fair Band Day.  There are 41 bands registered with 1,934 students participating in this event.  Our anniversary them is “60 Years of Band Day Bliss.” READ MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY — August was a busy month at State Fair Park.  The level of activity was strong as Oklahomans from across the state braved the record-breaking heat of this past summer. One of the more popular events to take place during the month of August was the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Range Round-Up – celebrating its 27^th Anniversary this year.  The event took place Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27.  Known as “The Real Deal” among area ranches, this event invited 12 teams, representing 18 ranches of “real ranch” cowboys to take bumps and bruises for audience entertainment and very little recognition.  This two-day event drew over 8,500 spectators, producing over $699,000 in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. READ MORE

August 4, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY — Both the summer and State Fair Park are in full swing, and this is evidenced by the multitude of events taking place on State Fair Park’s 435-acres.  June’s three major equine events helped foster State Fair Park’s reputation as “Horse Show Capital of the World.”  The National Reining Horse Derby, the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Redbud Horse Show and the Non-Pro Cutting Horse Event were all held at State Fair Park during the month of June.  Combined, these three equine events accounted for an attendance of 93,822 spectators and generated over $21.9 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. READ MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY — The weather continues to be hot, much the same as the schedule at State Fair Park in July.  In fact, the July events accounted for a busy month at State Fair Park, with 90 event days logged. The 2^nd Annual Battle in the Saddle took place at State Fair Park July 5 through 9 and featured some of the world’s most talented horses and cowboys taking center stage to battle it out for top honors in fast-paced, exciting events such as Roping, Cutting, Working Cow Horse, Versatility Ranch Horse, Ranch Remuda and new this year, Cowboy Mounted Shooting and Barrel Racing.  The event was open to all breeds and this free equestrian event drew over 14,300 spectators and generated over $3.1 million in direct spending. READ MORE