DUNCAN —
Stephens County has plenty of activities to participate in this September.
From crafts to performances to celebrations, there’s more than enough fun to keep away the back to school blues.
Duncan Chamber of Commerce has two events right off the bat during the first week with its Chamber Breakfast at 6:45 a.m. Thursday in the Simmons Center Redbud Courtyard and the annual Heroes Luncheon at noon Friday in the Simmons Center Chisholm Hall.
Several of the events are family friendly and offer entertainment for all ages.
The Abernathy Boys exhibit at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center opens Monday and teaches about Oklahoma’s first celebrities.
They were two young boys who traveled from Oklahoma across the country on horseback and by vehicle.
Also out at the Heritage Center will be the annual Western Spirit Celebration and Wine’n on the Chisholm Trail Sept. 14-15.
After an old fashioned cattle drive up the Chisholm Trail, Heritage Herd longhorns will be on the property.
The festivities also feature live music, games and chuck wagon meals, along with free admission to the Heritage Center.
Duncan AMBUCS will sponsor the third annual Wine’n which features Oklahoma winery vendors, food and entertainment for adults only.
Vintage Day is held the same weekend, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Foreman Prairie House. Added this year will be Duncan High School drama students portraying Foreman family members along with other local dancers, singers and storytellers throughout the afternoon.
Also that weekend is the United Way of Stephens County campaign kick off party.
This event is a first for the United Way and will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 in Fuqua Park. There will be free food, games and entertainment.
United Way’s first fundraiser is also this month with a Celebrity Server Night at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at Peyton’s Place. Local celebs will serve dinner and 100 percent of the tips made go to the campaign.
A couple of other fundraisers going on this month are the annual Duncan Evening Lions Ride For Sight Poker Run on Sept. 22 and the Empire Volunteer Fire Department Car and Motorcycle Show Sept. 29.
September is packed with events for theater and music entertainment. First up is Duncan Little Theatre presents “The Dixie Swim Club,” an Oklahoma Community Theatre Associations’ State Festival award winner, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Simmons Center. Each ticket helps the show get to the regional festival in Louisiana.
DLT will also begin their 2012-13 season with performances of “Evening of Shorts” Sept. 21-22 and 28-29.
Next is the first act for the 2012-13 Chisholm Trail Arts Council Concert Series, the Quebe Sisters Sept. 15 at the Simmons Center. These three sisters play the fiddle and sing vintage style three-part harmony with the sound of guitar and bass of their other band members.
On Sept. 20, the Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats will take the Simmons Center stage at 7 p.m. It is described as “good old fashioned razzle dazzle with ripples of amazement all the way to the back row.”
Duncan’s annual Bluegrass Festival, which now takes place at Duncan’s Grove, will run Sept. 28-30 with a number activities to offer, a calm atmosphere and great bluegrass sound provided by bands from both near and far.
Finally, Pimps in the Pulpit, a stage play based on the book by Herbert E. Brown, will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Simmons Center. It covers the controversial subject of some categorized church pastors who use the church for their own personal gain.
For the arts and crafts buffs in the area, there are a few events for you as well. Quilting on the Trail will be Sept. 14-15 as part of Western Fall Fest with 150 quilts on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the chuck wagon Tearoom.
An artist workshop with Thomas Stotts, an acrylic painter from Oklahoma City, will be Sept. 27-29. Only 10 students are accepted into this class, so contact Jolene Loyd-Forbes at 580-470-5031 to reserve your spot early.
Then there is the annual fall Duncan Crafts, Arts and Hobbies Association show Sept. 28-29. Several vendors selling a variety of handmade goods or photography will have booths set up at the Stephens County Fair & Expo.
To learn more about Duncan’s Main Street, attend their annual banquet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the First Christian Church gathering hall where the them will be “Remembering the Past.” Come dressed casual or in attire from your favorite decade and view antique cars and items.
The Southwest Oklahoma Senior Games will be held beginning at 8 a.m. Sept. 27 in the Simmons Center.
Finally, for more cowboy way of life events, head out to the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center to check out the D&G 4-D Barrel Race Sept. 7-9 and the Stock Horse Sizzler Sept. 14-16.
Local News
Related Photos
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Cameron Longo throws a snake into a cowboy boot during last year’s Western Fall Festival. File Photo
September full of activities, entertainment for all ages
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