Tour - Events

El Reno could be called a festival town. It comes alive with music, parades and great food on every holiday and many dates in between. There's an event for everyone from festivals celebrating ethnic diversity and heritage to a tribute to the aromatic burgers that have been cooked daily in El Reno since the early 1900's. (Where else can you get a bite of an 850 pound hamburger!?!)

Ghosts of Fort Reno Tours - 3/15, 4/19, 5/17, 6/21, 7/19, 8/16, 9/20, 10/18, 2008

This event is located at Fort Reno in El Reno, OK. Reservations are available and cost is $5 a person. By lantern light, hear stories of restless spirits of the old post, along with some of the unsolved mysteries and murders that occurred here. Event hours are 8:30p.m. Contact: Fort Reno Visitor Center by phone at 405-262-3987 or mail at 7107 W. Cheyenne or email info@fortreno.org. Visit their website at www.fortreno.org

El Reno Gras Car - Multiple Saturdays April-October, 2008

Multiple Saturdays April-October, 2007

This event is located at Adams Park on Route 66 in El Reno. Free Admission. Modified lawnmower racing on oval dirt track. Event hours are 6pm-9pm. Contact Martin Hoselton by phone at 405-262-9012 or mail at 1116 E Cavanaugh. Visit their Website at http://www.elrenograscar.com

El Reno Heritage and Arts Festival - April 12, 2008

This event is located at Redlands Community College. Free Admission.

This event is a celebration of the arts and multi-cultural diversity. Ethnic and festival foods, Art through the Century art show, live entertainment and performance arts display, a variety of Oklahoma talent and flavor. Hands on activities for kids include: sugar cookie art, finger painting, hats and masks and other creative activities where kids create and take home art work of their own. The talent is incredible and included instrumentalists and demonstration art. Celebrate 100 years of culture and history at the Heritage and Arts Festival. Event hours are 10am-6pm. Contact Karen Nix, Chamber of Commerce, by phone at 262-1188 or by mail at 206 North Bickford, or by email at elrenochamber@swbell.net

20th Annual Fried Onion Burger Day Festival - May 3, 2008

This event is located in downtown El Reno. Free Admission.

The Burger Day Festival is a tribute to the fried onion hamburger, cooked daily in El Reno since the early 1900s. Witness the cooking of the World’s largest fried onion hamburger, weighing over 750 pounds! Other festivities include rides, games, live entertainment, a classic car show, craft show, cycle show, burger eating contest, The Bun Run, and more. All in celebration of 100 years of fried onion ecstasy. Event hours are 10am-5pm. Contact Codie Finnigan, El Reno Main Street, by phone at 405-262-8888 or by mail at 206 N Bickford, or email at mainstreet@elreno.org

Fort Reno Candlelight Tour - May 10, 2008

This event is located at Fort Reno. Admission is 3-5 dollars. By lantern light, re-enactors portray individuals who lived at or visited Historic Fort Reno during the different phases of its existence from 1874 to the present. Participants will also be able to visit historic camps on the parade grounds. This event starts at 7pm. Contact Fort Reno Visitors Center by phone at 405-262-3987 or by mail at 7107 West Cheyenne or by email at info@fortreno.org. Visit their website at www.fortreno.org

Rolling Thunders Operation Carry the Flame - May 18, 2008

This event is located at the VFW Post. Free Admission. Motorcyclist from across the country join Carry the Flame as they travel to Washington D.C. for Memorial Day. Food, festivities, and a ceremony for MIAs, POWs, and service men and women. Hours are 9:00-3:00. Contact Linda Elkins by phone at 405-262-8225 or by mail at 132 Mill Ridge Road or by email at faithridr@aol.com

A Small Town Weekend - June 6,7 and 8, 2008

This event is located along Route 66 throughout El Reno. Free Admission. Enjoy the Songs for the Centennial concert on Friday night, with children’s games and activities, festival foods, shopping, classic car show and block party. Hot Wheel races, the only legal burnout in the state on Route 66 and closed Centennial Classic Car Cruise on Saturday. Entertainment, food, festivities, car show, prizes and give-aways on Sunday. The festivities begin on Friday at 7pm on Saturday from 9am-10pm and on Sunday from 11am-4pm. Contact Linda Welliver by phone at 405-262-3876 or by mail at 601 Mitchell or by email at allen@allenconnerrealestate.com. Visit their Website at www.ercruisers.com.

El Reno Route 66 Triathlon - May 31 and June 1, 2008

This event is at Lake El Reno. Free admission for spectators. This third Annual event is a draw for athletes throughout our regional states. It features a 1.5 K Swim, 40K Bike and 10K run. Starts at 7:30am. Contact Steve Bussjaeger, HIS Paint, by phone at 405-232-2077 or mail at 1801 W Reno in OKC, OK 73106 or by email at steveb@hispaint.com. Visit their Website at www.triokc.com

7th Annual El Reno Firefighters 4Man Scramble June 2008 Date to be announced

Located at Crimson Creek Golf Course. Fee to play is $55. Four man scramble golf tournament. Proceeds go to Burn-Out victims Fund and Fire prevention programs. Lunch is served after play is finished. Closest to the pin wins $300. Starts at 8a.m. Contact Kathleen Douglas by phone at 405-262-2949 or by mail at 219 W Hayes or by email at kdouglas@cityofelreno.com. Visit their Website at www.cityofelreno.com

18th Oklahoma Indian Nations Pow Wow - August 1, 2 and 3, 2008

Located at the Concho Parade Grounds. Free Admission. Traditional Native American dancers in all their regalia, along with crafts, food and other entertainment. Event starts at 6pm Friday and continues thru Sunday closing of events. Summerfest is held in conjunction with the Pow Wow and begins with a hot dog feed at 6 pm on Friday. The co-ed softball tournament begins at 7 pm, and the entry fee is 125 dollars. On Saturday, the 5K Buffalo Run begins at 8 am at Lucky Star Casino and the Junior Olympics, Youth Basketball Tournament, Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament, Youth Turtle Races and Best Decorated Turtle Contest begin in the morning. The Frybread Contest, Golf Scramble, Watermelon Feed, and Prettiest Shawl Contest are held in the afternoon. Contact Christine Morton by phone at 405 262-0345 or by mail at 4408 N Highway 81 in Concho, OK 73022 or by email at lgilliland@c-a-tribes.org?subject=events. Visit their website at http://www.cheyenne-arapaho.org/eventscalendar.htm

Canadian County Free Fair - August 20, 21, 22, and 23, 2008

Located at the Canadian County Fairgrounds. Free Admission. This four-day carnival includes rides, games, live entertainment, livestock show, fair food, art, craft exhibits, and more. Bar-B-Q Cook Off Contest held on Saturday. Begins Wednesday 6pm and ends Saturday 10pm. Contact Ted Middlestat by phone at 405-262-0683 by mail at 220 N Country Club Road or by email at ted0996@sbcglobal.net. Visit their Website at www.canadiancountyfair.com

Appetite for the Arts Festival September 4, 2008

Located in downtown El Reno. Free Admission. This event is an art and entertainment tour through El Renos historic district. Enjoy the Celebration of the Centennial Art Show, live demonstration art, dancing and performing arts, and other visual arts entertainment throughout the evening. There is fine food, shopping, and an awakening of creativity under the Stars in downtown El Reno! Hours are 5pm-10pm. Contact Codie Finnigan, El Reno Main Street, by phone at 405-262-8888 by mail at 206 N Bickford or by email at mainstreet@elreno.org.

Tombstone Tales - September 25, 26, 27, 2008

Located at Fort Reno. Admission is 5-10 dollars. Historic re-enactors portray individuals interred at the Fort Reno Post cemetery between 1874 and 1948. Chuck wagon dinner followed by guided walks through authentic 19th century encampments. Hours are 9am-4pm. Contact Fort Reno Visitors Center by phone at 405-262-3987 or by mail at 7107 West Cheyenne or by email at info@fortreno.org. Visit their Website at www.fortreno.org

Christmas on the Western Frontier - December 4, 2008

Located in Downtown El Reno. Free Admission. An old fashioned Christmas parade begins the evening festivities. The parade, Christmas of the Century, will feature fifty parade floats depicting the Centennial theme. Ride the Heritage Express Trolley—the only rail-based trolley in Oklahoma, visit Santas workshop, listen to strolling carolers and fill up on Christmas cookies, hot cider, hot chocolate and other treats while visiting the businesses to do some holiday shopping. Kids can make their own Centennial ornament to take home. The lighting of the Community Christmas Tree is always a favorite! Hours are 6-9pm. Contact Codie Finnigan, El Reno Main Street, by phone at 405-262-8888 or by mail at 206 N Bickford or by email at mainstreet@elreno.org

Holiday Tour of Homes - December 11, 2008

Located throughout the community. Beautifully decorated homes are open to the public for the holiday season. Gather great holiday decorating ideas, trolley rides, holiday sales at retail stores and more. Hours are 6-11pm. Contact Joel Drury, Redlands Foundation, by phone at 405-262-2552 or by mail at 1300 S Country Club Road or by email at druryj@redlandscc.edu. Visit their Website at www.redlandscc.edu

Fort Reno Christmas - December 21, 2008

Located at Fort Reno. Free admission. A celebration of culture including carolers, Christmas treats, re-enactment performances and the firing of the Christmas guns. Hours are 1-4 pm. Contact Fort Reno Visitor Center by phone at 405-262-3987 or by mail at 7107 West Cheyenne or by email at info@fortreno.org. Visit their Website at www.fortreno.org

There are many other events held annually in El Reno. For a complete guide to upcoming events, access the calendar of events section.