Fun-seekers have many options this weekend

By Brian Sargent
Staff Writer

The centennial parade won't be the only big-time attraction this weekend in downtown Oklahoma City. Several other events coincide with the grandest parade in the state's history, which will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday.


Be sure to check out these events:


Oklahoma Centennial Regatta Festival
The four-day festival begins Thursday at Regatta Park, ½-mile south of Reno Avenue on Byers Avenue.
The free festival features world-class rowing, live entertainment, wine tasting, an arts festival, children's activities and fireworks.

The Head of Oklahoma will feature a collegiate field. Teams from Central Florida, Duke, Harvard, Oklahoma City University, Penn, Stanford, Texas and Tulsa are scheduled to compete.

New this year is an international field competing in the USA Rowing World Challenge.

The international event starts Friday with national teams from Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Switzerland.

As many as 50,000 spectators are expected to attend, event organizers said.

Some of the festival's activities require a fee.

•TO KNOW MORE: Call the Chesapeake Boathouse at 552-4040 or go to www.headoftheoklahoma.org.


Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The museum, 620 N Harvey, will open four hours earlier than normal Sunday. The extended hours begin at 9 a.m. The museum will be closed from 1:30 to 4 p.m., during the parade.

"The centennial is all about the spirit of this great state and the story this museum tells is indicative of the strength and spirit of Oklahomans,” said Memorial & Museum Executive Director Kari Watkins.

•TO KNOW MORE: Call 235-3313 or go to www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial. org.


National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The museum, 1700 NE 63, will host a brunch from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Dining on Persimmon Hill.
Free parking is available at the museum.

Reservations are required.

Cost is $14.98 per person and includes admission to the museum.

•TO KNOW MORE: Call 478-2250 or go to www. nationalcowboymuseum.org.


Oklahoma City Museum of Art
The museum, 415 Couch, will be open an additional hour on Sunday. The extended hours are noon to 6 p.m.
No film will be screened.

•TO KNOW MORE: Call 236-3100 or go to Oklahoma City Museum of Art - More than a Museum (http://www.okcmoa.com).


St. Luke's United Methodist Church
The church at 222 NW 15 will hold a service celebrating the centennial at 10 a.m. and a barbecue dinner at 11:15.
Meal tickets purchased in advance are $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 4-12. Meal tickets at the door are $7 for adults and $5 for children. Children 3 and under are free.

The parade will be shown in the church's Christian Life Center.

•TO KNOW MORE: Call David Kelly at 232-1271 or e-mail dkelly@stlukesokc.org.


Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular
Some of the world's top figure skaters and gymnasts will perform at the Ford Center on Sunday as part of the spectacular. The 7 p.m. event is presented by Chesapeake Energy.
"This is what I call the dessert of an incredible weekend banquet in our city, honoring our centennial,” Bart Conner, a 1984 Olympic gymnastics gold medalist, said in a statement. Connor owns and operates Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman.

Figure skaters scheduled to perform include 2006 Olympic gold medalists, Evgeni Plushenko and Shizuka Arakawa and 2007 world champions Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao.

Featured gymnasts include 2004 Olympic all-around men's champion Paul Hamm, Olympic medalist Morgan Hamm, U.S. and world champion Nastia Liukin and Romanian Olympic champion Catalina Ponor.

Internationally renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang will perform.

•TO KNOW MORE: Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 235-8288 or going to www.ticketmaster.com.


Parking made easier
Park-and-rides will be available for parade-goers who don't want to worry about finding a parking space downtown.
Cost is $1 per person. Buses will be provided by the Oklahoma City School District.

Pick-up locations:

•South of the State Fair Grandstand. Riders will be dropped off at Robert S. Kerr and Robinson avenues.

•Crossroads Mall west parking lot. Riders will be dropped off at Reno Avenue and Mickey Mantle Drive.

•Remington Park northwest parking lot. Riders will be dropped at NE 6 and Oklahoma Avenue.

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The article didn't mention it, but the Plaza District Festival is also this weekend!

Here's my weekend:

OU vs. Mizzou

The End

Good choice Matt, let's not forget about the OU Game, Art on Tap, Girlie Show, or World Fest as well. The later 3 being in the downtown OKC area.

Good choice Matt, let's not forget about the OU Game, Art on Tap, Girlie Show, or World Fest as well. The later 3 being in the downtown OKC area.

Yes. But primarily, the OU game.

Either way, but OKC has finally arrived. This may be the weekend of the year.

1.) Head of Oklahoma Centennial Regatta (HUGE...)
2.) Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular
3.) Plaza District Festival
4.) Girlie Show
5.) Art on Tap
6.) Centennial Parade (HUGE.......)
7.) World Fest
8.) OU vs. Missouri

and many more events in addition to our tourist attractions such as Adventure District and our museums.

Either way, but OKC has finally arrived. This may be the weekend of the year.

1.) Head of Oklahoma Centennial Regatta (HUGE...)
2.) Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular
3.) Plaza District Festival
4.) Girlie Show
5.) Art on Tap
6.) Centennial Parade (HUGE.......)
7.) World Fest
8.) OU vs. Missouri

I trust that those events are ranked in order of importance.

From least to most, of course.

Good choice Matt, let's not forget about the OU Game, Art on Tap, Girlie Show, or World Fest as well. The later 3 being in the downtown OKC area.

Yeah, that article left out all of the best stuff.

does anyone know if you can buy the pins for the regatta thing at the river or do you have to buy them beforehand, and if so, then where? can't find specifics on their website

This is so not fair. With the last tax deadline on Monday I get to work a lot the next 5 days. I am hoping to take a couple hour break to see some rowing and the parade. Not sure how one can choose from all the good stuff to do this weekend.