Durant Area Chamber
DURANT – Visit Durant, the “City of Magnolias”, May 25 – June 2 for a week of family fun at the 2018 Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma. Festivities include an art show, carnival, vendor booths, entertainment and more at the Choctaw Event Center along with the Durant Pro Rodeo, Magnolia Farmers Market, Magnolia 5K and Durant Rotary Magnolia Bike Tour happening at other sites throughout the community.
Rodeo
Festivities kick off May 25-26 with the Durant Riding Club Pro Rodeo at the Durant Rodeo Arena on S 9th Street in Durant beginning at 7:30 p.m. each night. Slack will be held May 24 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Carnival
Majority of festival activities continue May 31-June 2 at the Choctaw Event Center located at 3702 Choctaw Road. Outside, the Pride Amusements Cardinal FG Carnival kicks off a night early on Wednesday, May 30 beginning at 5 p.m. Ride the Ferris wheel and other carnival rides, play games, eat yummy fair food and more.
Veterans Reception and Fireworks Display
The annual Veteran’s Reception takes place May 31 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Choctaw Community Building sponsored by John Deere | United Ag & Turf. Veterans are invited to enjoy a meal and hear a great presentation. Stick around for a stunning fireworks display at dusk provided by Brady’s Stockpile O’ Fireworks.
Vendor Booths and Art Show
Head inside the Choctaw Event Center, May 31-June 2 to browse the craft booths, food vendors, exhibitor displays and the annual Texoma Arts Association Art Show – all free of charge. The Event Center opens at 4 p.m. on May 31 and at 10 a.m., June 1-2. Booths and Art Show close at 9 p.m. each night. A variety of other outdoor vendors will also be set up for enjoyment.
Magnolia Theatre
The Event Center also includes the Magnolia Theatre showcasing free, family-friendly entertainment, June 1-2. The Magnolia Theatre will feature performances of “A Tribute to the Greatest Showman” from the renowned Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival. Performances are free and will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Choctaw Cultural Events
As headquarters of the Choctaw Nation, Durant’s Magnolia Festival showcases the history and folklore of their heritage with Choctaw dancers and Choctaw Princess Pageant on the Magnolia Theatre stage on Friday, June 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Events
Special children’s activities take place Saturday, June 2 outside at the Event Center from noon to 4 p.m. The largest Turtle Races in Oklahoma begin at 1:30 p.m. and the Fetch-N-Fish Dog Show also has performances scheduled outside throughout the weekend.
Downtown Events and Magnolia 5K & Fun Run
Run among the magnolias of Durant and earn a second helping of funnel cake at the Magnolia 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run on June 2. Race day registration begins at 7:15 a.m. at the First Texoma National Bank parking lot at 2nd and Evergreen in Downtown Durant. A registration link can be found at www.magnoliafestival.com. The Magnolia Farmers Market in Downtown Durant continues on Saturday, June 2 from 8 a.m. to noon at Market Square. Be sure to pick up magnolia tree seedlings to plant your own magnolia tree! Durant Main Street will also host a fun After-GLOW Party beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Market Square.
Magnolia Bike Tour
Take a ride through the magnolias with Durant Rotary’s 22nd annual Magnolia Bike Tour. The tour begins at Durant High School on Saturday, June 2 beginning at 8 a.m. Advance registration and information is available at www.magnoliabiketour.com.
With a wide variety of events, entertainment, activities, food and exhibitions, the Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma is a guaranteed fun-filled weekend for visitors of all ages. Admission into the Choctaw Event Center is free. Don’t forget to pick up your commemorative 2018 Magnolia Festival t-shirt sold inside the Choctaw Event Center, May 31-June 2.
For more information on the Magnolia Festival and for a full schedule of events, contact the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce at 580-924-0848 or visit www.MagnoliaFestival.com.