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 - 3rd Saturday, March-October, 2009

By lantern light, hear stories of restless spirits of the old post, along with some of the unsolved mysteries and murders that occurred here. Phone: 405-262-3987 Website: www.fortreno.org

El Reno Gras Car - Multiple Saturdays April-October, 2009

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 Arts Festival - April 4, 2009

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

Celebrate culture and history with live entertainment, fine arts, demonstration arts, children’s activities, great food and variety of Oklahoma talent and flavor. Phone: 405-823-0307

21st Annual Fried Onion Burger Day Festival: May 2, 2009

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

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. Phone: 405-262-8888 Website: www.elrenoburgerday.com

Fort Reno Candlelight Tour - May 9, 2009

Re-enactors portray individuals and perform vignettes of those who lived at or visited Historic Fort Reno during the different phases of its existence from 1874 to the present. Phone: 405-262-3987Website: www.fortreno.org

Rolling Thunders Operation Carry the Flame - May 17, 2009

Motorcyclists 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. Phone: 405-483-5172 Website: www.carrytheflame.org

A Small Town Weekend - June 5-7, 2009

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 30th & 31st, 2009

This annual event is a draw for novice to pro athletes throughout the south-central states region. Saturday features the SMW/USAT State Championship, and Sunday is the State Qualifier for the Best of the US Amateur Triathlete National Championship. Phone: 405-640-5304 Website: www.triokc.org

8th Annual El Reno Firefighters 4Man Scramble 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

20th Oklahoma Indian Nations Pow Wow: August 7-9, 2009

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 19, 20, 21, and 22, 2009

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 3, 2009

This event is an art and entertainment tour through El Reno’s historic district. Enjoy fine art, performing arts, food, shopping, prizes and an awakening of creativity under the stars in downtown El Reno! Phone: 405-262-8888

Tombstone Tales - September 24-26, 2009

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. Phone: 405-262-3987 Website: www.fortreno.org

Christmas on the Western Frontier - December 3, 2009

An old fashioned Christmas parade, trolley rides, Santa, strolling carolers, Christmas treats, lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, children’s craft project, shopping and Main Street Bucks drawing! Phone: 405-262-8888 Website: www.elreno.org

Holiday Tour of Homes - December 10, 2009

Beautifully decorated homes are open to the public for the holiday season. Gather great holiday decorating ideas and enjoy holiday sales at participating merchants. Phone: 405-262-2552 Website: www.redlandscc.edu

Fort Reno Christmas - December 20, 2009

A celebration of culture including carolers, Christmas treats, re-enactment performances and the firing of the Christmas guns - an old German/Early American tradition. Phone: 405-262-3987 Website: 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.