Proposal for jumbotrons at Centennial celebration

By Jeff Harrison / Guthrie News Leader

Officials from the State and local Centennial Commissions are working to make sure everyone can see and hear during the Statehood Day festivities.

“We want to put on a first class event for the visitors in town that day,” Guthrie Centennial Director George Watts said.

Under the proposal, a major Oklahoma City audio-visual company will provide six “jumbotron” screens and 10-25 audio towers that will be placed around town for Statehood Day on November 16. The equipment will be used to broadcast reenactments, parades and other Centennial venues, according to Watts.

Watts said they are currently waiting for the State Centennial Commission to approve funding for the project.

He remains confident that the proposal will be approved, and he said the State Centennial Commission is “very much in favor” of the proposal. “Based on what I know I think it will happen,” he said. “But, I’ve learned in this job that there are many hurdles we must go over.”

He said the proposal is a team partnership with the State Centennial Commission and it would paid for with funds from both parties, but would not disclose the cost of the project.

“It’s a proprietary issue at this point. It’s between the company and the Centennial Committees,” Watts said.

However, other Centennial Committee members report to GNL the proposal is between $30,000-$50,000.

Marko, I was thinking "Thats a good idea until I read all the way down to the $30-50,000 bucks" Oh well it is our centennial though. Hmmm