Spring has sprung! As gardens begin to grow and bloom and the bees begin to buzz, the warmer April weather sets in motion a wide variety of events for local families and residents to enjoy. Numerous local organizations and businesses present activities for all ages.
Kicking things off this weekend, the city and local churches will offer egg hunts and Easter ceremonies. Saturday evening, April 8, The Freeland Center Arts Council presents Blues, Beer, and BBQ, featuring Carvin Jones at Venue 66. Event patrons will be treated to an evening of quality entertainment with good friends and food. Speaking of food, tasty fundraisers such as the American Legion’s pulled pork and chicken boxed lunches will be available for purchase on April 21.The following day, the Legion will offer barbecued meats at Klingensmith Park during its car show and poker run. Like the Legion, Bristow Band Boosters will host an April fundraiser in the form of an auction at Bristow High School on April 15. Closing out the month, the spring band and choir concerts will be held at the Freeland Center on April 23 and April 30, respectively. Community members are welcomed to attend the concerts and be treated to the talented musical stylings of local students.
Not to be outdone, May persuades community members by opening with a speech showcase at the Freeland Center on May 1. Without missing a beat, local dancers with Jean Ann’s School of Dance take the stage a few days later on May 5 and 6 for their recitals. Attendees may find themselves toe-tapping along with the energetic youngsters. Also occurring May 5 and 6, Oklahoma’s 100-mile yard sale will offer goods and gifts throughout the community, including the Friends of the Library book and yard sale at the library on West 7th Avenue. One block north, the American Legion will host a vendor craft show beginning one day earlier on May 4 and running thru May 6. Also happening on Saturday, May 6, the Bristow Artisans and Gardeners Market opens for the season. Local area crafters and growers will meet in the eastern end of the Tractor Supply parking lot with plenty of goodies for everyone.
As the growing season begins, local students’ educational year comes to an end. On May 7, this year’s Baccalaureate Ceremony will be held at the Freeland Center with the Bristow High School graduation commencing at Hafer Field on May 11. After graduation, Bristow will host a weekend filled with family friendly activities and events as Bristow Historical Society presents its inaugural 2023 Southern Plains MOPAR Car Show on May 12 and 13. Additionally, Saturday will offer the annual 5K Wildflower Run, which will immediately be followed by The Bristow Tabouleh Fest. For the first time this year, Bristow Noon Lions Club will present the beloved annual festival. The following weekend, on May 20, the Myriah Thompson School of Dance will perform at the Freeland Center. May also ushers in the beginning of Bristow Garden Club’s annual “Yard of the Month” program, which runs through September. As the month ends, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Bristow City Cemetery.
For a truly magical experience, families will want to be in town June 9 thru 11 as Onstage at the Freeland presents Beauty and the Beast at the Freeland Center.The magic stretches from June into July as Bristow Garden Club presents its annual Garden Tour, showcasing local gardens aboard the Woodland Queen Trolley. The annual Garden Tour offers a unique opportunity to view beautiful flowers and plants throughout the community and meet the gardeners who grew them. July also enters with a celebratory bang this year with Bristow’s Birthday Bash and Patriotism in the Park at Klingensmith Park and Lake Massena.
August rides in rowdy with plenty of excitement during annual rodeo events and the return of Bristow’s own Western Heritage Days.
Finally, be sure to check with local churches for various vacation Bible school and summer camp dates and times. Also, begin a child’s love for reading with the library’s summer reading program. The library offers many different programs and activities for patrons of all ages. For up-to-date information on coming events and attractions, be sure to check out and follow the websites and social media pages of all organizations listed in the article.