Crystal digging season is open! Digging is permitted April 1 through October 15, sunrise to sunset at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. No special permit is required. Collectors are permitted to remove up to 10 pounds of crystals plus one large cluster for their personal use per day. Take Hwy 64 west of Jet to the Salt Flats sign (about six miles), turn N on sand road to Salt Plains (about three miles), and one mile east on a paved road to the gate and follow the orange signs to ‘Dig Area'.

The drive from Enid to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is at just about an hour from Enid. Wear old shoes and clothes. You might want to pack extra clothes for after digging in case they become covered in salt and dirt.

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We usually take Highway 64 through Jet, Oklahoma coming from the east. The road to the Salt Flats has a big sign near it and it is a few miles west of Jet. There are a few other roads that will get you there. Stop in Jet to use the restroom, purchase snacks and something to drink. Be sure to have plenty of water and ice if possible. (There is a small bathroom inside the gate at the Selenite Crystal Digging Area just in case.)
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Once you arrive at the Selenite Crystal Digging Area you'll see a road marked by posts. The road will be pretty rough at the beginning. If you have a vehicle that sits very low you might have a little trouble. Drive slow. The gate of the Selenite Crystal Digging Area is located at 66003 Garvin Road, Cherokee OK 73728. You drive about a mile then to the Dig Area.
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There will be signs telling what areas to stay away from. It will most likely be windy. Even on a non-windy day there's going to be some wind on the salt flats. Take sunscreen and sunglasses!
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There will be a designated dig area. You can only dig in that area. You'll see other older areas that are now blocked off. Don't dig in the areas that say keep out. There are severe penalties for not following the rules.
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The road is clearly marked. Just follow the posts. You'll also see other diggers and the most recent area of digging will be very apparent.
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You'll see the large salt flats but the actual salt is just a very thin layer. You may also see some water areas. There is basically an aquifer right under the salt flats so you will see water filling your hole if you dig very deep.
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Jerry Rose took his daughters to dig and shared this pic on our Facebook page. Be sure and take small shovels and digging tools. Also have a bucket to clean the crystals and some extra water.
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You'll find lots of these crystal pieces. You're looking for large pieces that have an hour glass shape in the middle. If you dig carefully and hit the right spot you might find large clumps of crystals together. Clumps are rare but very cool!

Collectors are permitted to remove up to 10 pounds of crystals plus one large cluster for their personal use per day.
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Part of the Great Salt Plains is Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Avoid the areas that are marked with signs. You can get in trouble if you harm anything in the Refuge.
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Nearing sunset on the Great Salt Plains. This is where the camera come in real handy.
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Sunset.
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Beware that you will get salt on just about everything especially shoes. This was after an hour ride and walking across a parking lot. You will have salt in your car. You might want to wash your car after your visit. Enjoy!

INFORMATION ON THE SELENITE CRYSTALS

The salt flats are a unique geological area made up of 11,000-acres that are perfectly flat with a wafer thin salt crust. It is classified as the "largest such saline flat in the central lowlands of North America".

The salt area was formed by repeated flooding by sea water millions of years ago. There are thick layers of salt-saturated sand hidden below the plain. Rains and local ground water travel through the salt-saturated sand and comes to the surface where it evaporates, leaving the crust of salt. Saline solution combines with gypsum to promote selenite crystal growth in that portion of the salt flats.

Because these crystals form in the wet part of the  soil, sand and clay particles are included within the crystal. These particles often form an "hourglass" shape inside the crystal. This hourglass shape cannot be found in selenite crystals in other places of the world; it is only found here at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in NW Oklahoma.

Single crystals, penetration twins, and clusters are the typical crystal shapes most frequently encountered on the refuge. Exceptional individual crystals measuring up to 7 inches long have been found, along with complex combinations weighing as much as 38 pounds.

Call 580-626-4794 for more information.

Same Enid Intertribal recipe for over 30 years. Friday, Sept. 12 from 11:00am until they sell out and Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10:00am until they sell out. Indian Taco + a Drink $12.

A famous Enid Intertribal Indian Taco.

Always a supportive line waiting to get Indian Tacos on the courthouse lawn.

Enjoy the Ice Cream Crank-Off, Live Stock, Fair Entries, Fair Seminars, Vendor Booths, Quilt Show and More! Take the entire family and grab a funnel cake, fried Oreo, Turkey leg, walking taco and more!

The Garfield County Fair gates are open Thursday thru Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm. All fair entries are due by September 3rd.

The CARNIVAL is back this year and will operate September 10th-14th at the Expo Center. Stop by the Expo office to purchase carnival passes for $5 off (sale ends September 9th). For questions contact the office at 580-237-0238.

The Fun Time Shows Carnival hours are Wednesday & Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday 5pm-10:30pm, Saturday split sessions 12pm-5pm and 6pm-11pm, Sunday 1pm-6pm.

Do your friends and family tell you you’re THE BEST ice cream maker? Well they’ve got just the contest for you! The Old Fashioned Homemade Ice Cream Crank-Off will be September 13th at 3:30pm with a $150 Prize to the winner!

Participants must provide minimum 6-quart entry and will be required to serve their ice cream. Ice cream scoops will be provided. Ice cream must be frozen and ready to serve at 3:30 p.m. Ice cream will be judged by the public. Entries will be accepted up to the starting time.

Ice Cream entry forms may be returned to Garfield County Fairgrounds, 111 W. Purdue, Enid, OK 73701. For questions call 580-237-0238.

Enter the Oklahoma “BEST OF WHEAT” Bread Baking Contest! Entries must be in place Saturday, September 13th by 1:00pm (no pre entry required). Judging will take place at 1:30pm.

The Junior Division is open to anyone under 18 at time of contest.
Senior Division is open to anyone 18 and older.
There are many bread options that can be submitted. More details can be found in the Fair Guide under Department O!

The Garfield County Free Fair Horse Show is FREE to enter for both 4-H /FFA AND open divisions! It will be held Saturday September 13th beginning at 9am.

To get pre entered (required), call Sherry at the Expo Center at 580-237-0238. ((The same horse can be shown 4-H/FFA OR open but not both.))
Proper dress and negative coggins are required.

Fair visitors can head over to the outdoor arena, find a good seat, and watch the horse show! All fair events are open to the public!

Entry links can be found at https://www.chisholmtrailexpo.com/garfield-county-fair.html.

See the FAIR GUIDE HERE.

Quick Schedule:

WEDNESDAY, Sept 10

5:00 pm Official Weigh-in/Paper Check for all Livestock.
Animals should be in place on the Fairgrounds by 7:00 pm and will be released at the conclusion of the show for each specie
6:00 pm All exhibits must be in place except Dept. P (Flowers), Dept. O (Foods) and Dept. L (HCE).
Gift Basket Contest and Table Setting Contest entries must be in place by 6:00 pm.
Commercial Booths: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Carnival: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

THURSDAY, Sept 11

8:00 am Livestock judging begins: Swine, Beef, Goats, Sheep
9:00 am Judging Dept. Q and FFA Departments
10:00 am Judging Dept. M and Dept. N
11:00 am The following must be in place: Dept. L. Dept. O and Dept. P
1:00 pm Judging begins in Dept. L, O, & P.
6:00 pm Chocolate Dessert Contest – Coliseum
Commercial Booths: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Carnival: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

FRIDAY, Sept 12

10:00 am Pie Baking Contest
Commercial Booths: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Carnival: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

SATURDAY, Sept 13

1:00 pm “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking Contest – Coliseum
3:30 pm Homemade Ice Cream Crank-Off, Coliseum
Commercial Booths: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Carnival: 12:00 pm – 5:00pm and 6:00 pm – 10:00pm
(new wristbands must be purchased for the evening session)

SUNDAY, Sept 14

Commercial Booths: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Carnival: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Exhibits will be released from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. No exhibits will be released prior to this time. Premium checks will be made available by October 1st

MONDAY, Sept 15

7:00 pm Premium Sale

Here are the 2025 prices:

PEACHES
18-20 lb Box of #1 Peaches $50
Half Box of #1 Peaches $27
#2 Peaches (18-20 lb) $40

PEARS (if available)
18-20 lb Box of Pears $40
Half Box of Pears $23

SWEET EXTRAS
Honey (24 oz) $17
Jam (8 oz) $9
Peach Salsa $12

Get more details at https://www.cunninghampeaches.com/oktx-truck.html.

All fruit is grown in Palisade, CO. Peach trees are grown right on the banks of the Colorado River as it winds its way though their little town. This river is a vital source of water begins in North Central Colorado near Grand Lake, and flows westward through the beautiful Rocky Mountains gathering up snow melt as it moves toward the Baja Peninsula.

Since 1972, the Cunningham family has worked to provide your family with tree-ripened peaches and pears that have been fed by the snow melt of these mountains. Cunningham Peaches are special because they have a goal of delivering these hand-picked peaches into your car within 48-72 hours. But it’s also common for your box of peaches to be picked from the tree, and loaded into your car within 24 hours!

Instead of using packing machinery, the Cunningham's let their fruit hang as long as possible to get every drop of sugar before hand-picking and packing the fruit right there in the orchard.

There is simply no better peach than a Cunningham Peach!

The Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Bill 861 during the 2007 Legislative Session to benefit both consumers and retailers in the state by providing sales tax exempt shopping. This will help businesses by providing a boost in the economy and the consumer by allowing them to save money when shopping for clothing and shoes.

Sales of any article of clothing or footwear designed to be worn on or about the human body and the sales price of the article is less than one hundred dollars ($100) are exempt. This does not apply to the sale of any accessories, special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for athletic activity or protective use, or to the rental of clothing or footwear.

Be careful not to overspend just because the tax free weekend is going on in your area. The regular sales tax rate in Oklahoma is 4.5%, so that’s how much money you’d be saving – along with your local sales tax, if applicable. By shopping around, and also using coupons, you might find that the items you’re looking for are less expensive either before the tax free weekend or after it takes place.

Some of the items that are tax exempt include the following:

Aprons, household and shop
Athletic supporters
Baby receiving blankets
Bathing suits and caps
Beach capes and coats
Belts and suspenders
Boots
Coats and jackets
Costumes
Diapers, children and adult, including disposable diapers
Ear muffs
Formal wear
Gloves and mittens for general use
Hats and caps
Hosiery
Lab coats
Neckties
Pantyhose
Rainwear
Rubber pants
Sandals
Scarves
Shoes
Slippers
Sneakers
Socks and stockings
Steel toed shoes
Underwear
Uniforms, athletic and non-athletic
Wedding apparel

More details here https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/tax/documents/resources/publications/infographics/SalesTaxHoliday.pdf

In 2023, 10,484 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among the young adults (18 to 34) passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2023, 60% were unbuckled — one of the highest percentages for all age groups.

There will be zero tolerance for non-compliance during this campaign. If you are found not wearing a seatbelt you will receive a ticket. No ifs, ands or buts.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and Oklahoma law enforcement agencies urge drivers to buckle up ahead of the national Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The high-visibility enforcement effort, which coincides with Memorial Day, runs May 19 to June 1.

According to NHTSA, on average, a person not wearing a seat belt dies in a car crash every 47 minutes. Additionally, those who don't want to buckle up may not understand they pose a danger to other people in the vehicle. An unrestrained person can become a projectile and crush other occupants during a crash, even if the other occupants are wearing their own seat belts.

For more information on seat belt safety, visit oklahoma.gov/highwaysafety.

Without meeting the REAL ID Act regulations, federal agencies will be prohibited from accepting Oklahoma driver's licenses and identification cards, meaning those without identification that complies with the REAL ID Act won't be able to fly on a commercial airplane, enter a federal building, military base or courthouse.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to make driver's licenses harder to forge. Oklahoma legislators in 2007 passed a bill forbidding the state from meeting provisions of the act.

A Real ID-compliant form of identification requires several pieces of data. You can find the requirements at https://www.ok.gov/dps/Real_ID_Enforcement.html.

Cards must feature specific security features intended to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the document for fraudulent purposes. These cards must also present data in a common, machine-readable format (bar codes, smart card technology, etc.). Although the use of wireless RFID chips was offered for consideration in the proposed rulemaking process, it was not included in the latest rulemaking process. Plus each state must agree to share its motor vehicle database with all other states.

Monsees said that persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 ½ years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Applications must be received by the County Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight, February 9. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted, but will not be processed until after the March 5 presidential preferential primary election. Applications may also be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed. Approved voters will receive a Voter Identification Card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved. Monsees said those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the County Election Board office immediately.

The Garfield County Election Board reminds voters that applications must be approved by the County Election Board Secretary in order to vote.

Registered voters who have moved to Garfield County from a different county or state will need to complete a new Voter Registration Application in order to be eligible for elections in Garfield County. If you have moved within the county and need to update your address, you may make changes online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or complete a Voter Registration Application.

Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections. You may also complete a form at your County Election Board. Most post offices, tag agencies, and public libraries have applications available upon request.

The Garfield County Election Board is located at 903 Failing Avenue, Enid and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580.237.6016 or email shari.monsees.ctr@elections.ok.gov.

Make sure to join the “Garfield County Election Board, Enid” Facebook page to stay informed on upcoming elections, sample ballots, candidate filings, and important dates.

Voting Information

You can register to vote if you are a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State of Oklahoma, and 18 years old or older.

Felons - A convicted felon may not register for a period equal to the time of the original sentence. A convicted felon who has been pardoned may register.

Persons Judged Incapacitated - Persons judged incapacitated by a court may not register to vote.

You must fill out a voter registration application form. Voter registration applications are available at your County Election Board, post offices, tag agencies, libraries and many other public locations. You will be offered a voter registration application when you get your driver's license and when you apply for assistance at some government agencies. You also may download an application form. You must sign and date the oath printed on the form. When you sign the voter registration application form, you swear that you are eligible to register to vote.

You may submit your voter registration application form at any time. However, voter identification cards cannot be issued during the 24 days prior to an election. If your registration application is received by the county election board during the 24 days before an election, you will not receive your voter identification card until after the election.

More info on how to register to vote.

Polls are open in Oklahoma from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Polling lines are normally longest before and after work and at lunch.

Oklahoma law requires everyone who votes in person at a polling place to provide a valid proof of identity before receiving a ballot. There are three ways for you to prove your identity:

• Show a valid photo ID issued by the federal, state or a tribal government.
• Show the free voter identification card issued to every voter by his or her county election board.
• Sign an affidavit and cast a provisional ballot. The ballot will be counted after Election Day if the information provided matches official voter registration records.

Confirm your voter registration and find your polling place.

Learn more about Oklahoma's delegates HERE.

Garfield County Election Board,  903 Failing Dr. Enid OK 73701. Open 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Efforts will run between 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

The goal is simple: to make Garfield County as safe as possible by getting impaired drivers off the roads. Officers and troopers will be on duty looking for impaired drivers across the Garfield County area.

Presently, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and many local law enforcement agencies across the State are joining the nationwide Winter Holiday Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Impaired Driving Enforcement Mobilization which runs from Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 - Monday, January 1st, 2024.

During the 2021 holiday period, there were 2,691 crashes statewide. Of those, 147 (or 5.5%) were alcohol and/or drug related. Combined with the efforts from law enforcement, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office asks the public to not drive impaired or under the influence so Oklahoma roads can be safer for everyone this holiday season.

Everyone is highly encouraged to create a plan beforehand and have a designated driver before heading out to celebrate the holiday festivities. Have fun and enjoy life, but do not, under any circumstances, drive while impaired by alcohol or any other substance. The cost is too high. Let’s ENDUI.

Spend the afternoon in the beautiful Hennessey Memorial Park enjoying great chocolates, music, sampling more than 100 wines from over 20 wineries at the official Oklahoma State Wine Festival. Be there October 7 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Must be 21 to consume wine, valid driver's license is required to obtain a wine wrist band.

Saturday slams in with hot cars, trucks, motorcycles, food trucks and autocross. Saturday night lights up with smoking burn outs, race car exhibitions and cruising the night away.

A free breakfast, church services, and drag racing finish off Sunday. Lots of cash and prizes with no entry fee.

Visit bigcruiseandcarshow.com.

2023 SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

PRE-REGISTER & SPIN TO WIN 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
FREE COOKOUT 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
AXE THROW 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
RULES MEETING FOR FRIDAY NIGHT CRUISE 7:50 PM
BIG CRUISE 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM (DOWNTOWN)
(CLOSED ROUTE - NO 4 WHEELERS -EVERYTHING ELSE THAT RUNS!)
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM (OKLAHOMA BLVD (HWY 64)
(STREET LEGAL ONLY!) (BAND STARTS AT 8:30 PM)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

REGISTRATION & SPIN TO WIN 9:00 AM - NOON
​GRACEFUL ARTS GALLERY EXHIBITION 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
SIDEWALK ART CONTEST 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
KIDS PIT STOP 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Courthouse Lawn)
*Sponsored by Beadles Nursing Home and Holder Drug*
CAR SHOW 10:00 AM - 4:40 PM
AXE THROW 10:00 AM - 4:45 PM
LITTLE MISS CRUISE & CAR SHOW 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
PINEWOOD DERBY 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
AUTO CROSS 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
GO & WHOA 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
TROPHY PRESENTATION for Go & Whoa 6:30 PM - 6:40PM
(RACE Award, Best of Awards) Throughout the Evening
BURNOUT CONTEST AMATEUR 6:40 PM - 7:30 PM
BIG SHOW EXHIBITION 7:30 PM
BURNOUT CONTEST PRO 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM
TROPHY PRESENTATION FOR BURNOUTS (Right after Burnout Finals)
CRUISE THE BLVD. 8:30 PM - ???? (STREET LEGAL ONLY)
BAND STARTS 8:30 PM

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

FREE BREAKFAST 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
*Sponsored by Hopeton Wesleyan Church*
CHAPEL SERVICE AND FELLOWSHIP 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
CAR SHOW 9:00 AM - NOON
TROPHY PRESENTATION (CLASS TROPHIES & Etc.) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
DRIVERS' MEETING 11:30 AM
FUN RUN GRUDGE RACE & BATTLE ON BARNES 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
YOUTH ACTIVITIES during intermissions

Free Fishing Days gives anyone who isn't familiar with fishing a chance to just 'test the waters' and see if they would enjoy the sport.

Many urban areas across the state offer angling opportunities through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Close to Home Fishing program, which provides quality fishing opportunities without a long drive from home. Anglers also have access to public lakes, rivers, streams and ponds across the state. People who just don't know where to start can turn to wildlifedepartment.com.

Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer Free Fishing Days more than three decades ago, a courtesy that has since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar days.

Even though the state fishing license is not required during Free Fishing Days, all anglers must still abide by the other fishing regulations such as species daily bag limits and size restrictions.

Enid has a few places inside city limits to fish:

• Meadowlake Park (Van Buren & Rupe)
• Government Springs North Park (South 5th)
• Crosslin Park (West Purdue)
• City of Enid Water Works (West Chestnut)

Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Only fish registered at the official weigh station will be eligible for prizes. All state game and fishing laws will be observed during the rodeo.

Over the course of March, the length of the day is increasing. From the start to the end of the month, the length of the day increases by 1:10 hours, implying an average day-over-day increase of 2.2 minutes.

The shortest day of the month is March 1 with 11:25 hours of daylight; the longest day is March 31 with 12:35 hours of daylight.

The probability that precipitation will be observed at this location varies throughout the month. Precipitation is most likely around March 31, occurring in 31% of days. Precipitation is least likely around March 3, occurring in 26% of days.

The likelihood of snow falling is highest around March 1, occurring in 8% of days.

Over the course of March typical wind speeds vary from 5 mph to 19 mph (light breeze to fresh breeze), rarely exceeding 27 mph (strong breeze).

The conference takes place at Northwestern Oklahoma State University—Ballroom, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, Oklahoma. Registration deadline is August 15, 2022.

Speakers include:

Mick Cornett is a former TV personality, businessman, and 4-Term Mayor of Oklahoma City. In 2018, he was named to Fortune Magazine’s list of The 50 Greatest Leaders in the World. His latest book The Next American City was published by Penguin/Random House.

Katie Ritchie is the Marketing Coordinator for GGP Parks, LLC. In her role, she oversees all visual content, branding, and design for Gathering Place, Guthrie Green, and LowDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Katie provides the creative direction and vision for all three entities, and creates and designs the visuals for social media, signage, newsletters, events, and more.

Stan Clark, a Tulsa native, graduated from Oklahoma State University in May of 1975 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Clark and childhood friend Steve File, opened Eskimo Joe’s on July 21, 1975. Clark has built a restaurant and a retail brand that has gained national, even international notoriety.

If you have questions contact Carla Burdick at 580-327-4918.

Schedule:

Among The Stars
8:00 Registration — Silent Auction and vendor tables open
8:15 Tourism Bootcamp 101, Rob Houston
8:45 Welcome - Alva Community & Red Carpet Country
9:00 Creating Barn Quilt Trails, Lynda Latta
9:20 Staring Gazing, Bobette Doerrie
9:40 Networking Break — Silent Auction
10:00 How to Create a Tourist Destination - Mick Cornett
11:15 Lunch - Networking - Silent Auction
12:00 Marketing On A Budget - Katie Richie, The Gathering Place
1:00 Creating Marketing Video
1:30 Break, Silent Auction closing
1:45 Service with a Smile - Stan Clark, Eskimo Joe’s
2:45 Silent Auction winners announced
Closing Remarks.

REGISTRATION FORM - Fill out and mail in with payment:

Name:________________________________________
Position: ________________________________
Organization: ___________________________________
How long in the Travel Industry?________
Address: _____________________________________
City-State-Zip: __________________________________

Registration fee: $50 Members/$75 Non-members:
No. of attendees _______ x $_________ = Total: ________

Email: _______________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________

Make check payable to: Red Carpet Country | 222 E. Maple, Suite 400, Enid, OK 73701.
Registration deadline is August 15, 2022.

A few years back while I was searching online for historical facts about Enid I stumbled upon a cross country flying schedule of Amelia Earhart that mentioned Enid, Oklahoma as a destination. The landing date on the list was June 15, 1931. Having grown up here almost my entire life I had never once heard the tale that Amelia Earhart had actually visited Enid.

I decided to investigate things a little further and found a second source that had Enid on Earhart’s flying schedule during her Beech-Nut Transcontinental Autogiro tour across the country. I also found news accounts of Earhart having a mishap in Abilene, Texas just days before she was to arrive in Enid. Some newspaper accounts wondered if she would continue her tour which made me question if the accident had caused her to skip Enid.

For a year I conducted quick searches online but was unable to ever find any verifiable proof that she had ever landed in Enid. One morning at KGWA while doing my radio show with Alan Clepper I mentioned my search for information on Earhart and word got back to the Public Library Of Enid. Jade Champion, Mary Shaklee and especially Sarah Cariker took time to scan old Enid Morning News articles and came up with 100% proof that Amelia Earhart had indeed come to Enid, Oklahoma!

Below are details we’ve uncovered from local news articles on the cross country tour and trip Earhart made to Enid.

The Beech-Nut Tour

Harold F. Pitcairn designed the Pitcairn PCA-2 which was an autogyro developed in the United States in the early 1930s. The PCA-2 was the first rotary-wing aircraft to achieve type certification in the United States. He used a number of high-profile activities including the first flight across the United States in a rotorcraft to promote his plane. That feat was attempted by Amelia Earhart, flying for the Beech-Nut food company, but was actually accomplished by John M. Miller who completed his flight nine days before Earhart on May 28, 1931.

Pitcairn’s intent was to fan the public fires of autogiro interest, and he accomplished that with many different marketing techniques. He arranged for journalists to take rides in the PCA-2, and then would use their columns in advertising to tout the revolutionary nature of Autogiro flight. Ernie Pyle, aviation editor for the Washington News, was given a ride and praised Autogiro’s performance in a column dated September 26, 1930.

In May 1931, Earhart took off from Newark, NJ on her first transcontinental autogiro tour. The autogiro craft in which she flew was ordered specially for the aviatrix by the Beech-Nut Packing Company to promote their chewing gum. The autogiro was a relatively new aviation design that many at the time believed to be dangerous and Earhart was out to prove them wrong.

The Crash

Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for this record. Earhart was married to George Putnam in 1931 but because of her liberal views she kept her own name. Due to the climate of the times, many newspapers insisted on calling her Mrs. Putnam which we’ll also call her from time to time.

Putnam arranged to have Earhart fly Beech-Nut’s autogiro on a transcontinental tour to promote both the plane and the gum. Earhart took off in the company’s vivid green rotorcraft from Newark, N.J., on May 29, 1931, accompanied by mechanic Eddie de Vaught. The autogiro was capable of vertical landings and could poise motionless in mid-air. It had a 300-horsepower engine and had a top speed of 110 miles per hour.

The autogiro plane needed to be refueled frequently, which caused Earhart to make many stops in small towns across the country. She was often invited to attend luncheons and banquets in her honor while visiting and demonstrating in each city. Normally Earhart would be dressed in her leather jacket, jodhpurs and boots. Unfortunately she didn’t have room in her open cockpit to carry a nice change of clothes.

On Saturday, June 13, 1931 Earhart ran into trouble when her autogiro failed to attain sufficient momentum during a demonstration over Abilene, Texas. She crash landed the plane in an area away
from the onlookers and walked away unharmed. The plane’s rotors were damaged and the propeller was bent preventing it from being flown.

Fortunately for Enid residents, Earhart took a private plane from Abilene to OKC piloted by aviator Dick Young. Another autogiro was flown to Oklahoma City from Philadelphia and the tour continued. Major Hugh Askew, manager of the Enid airpark, tried to call Mrs. Putnam but could not get her on the wire. He then telegraphed her to ask about her Enid plans and was told she would still be coming to town.

Earhart In Oklahoma

Earhart appeared at the Oklahoma City fairgrounds on Sunday, June 14, 1931. The Texas crash had not stopped the crowds from coming out to see her as she continued the tour. Prior to her autogiro demonstration in Oklahoma City, Earhart was serenaded by a 42-piece band, an airshow featuring what one report said was “practically every plane in Oklahoma City,” formation flying, a parachute jump and a demonstration by a local woman stunt pilot.

Amelia Earhart Putnam was to arrive in Enid at 10 o’clock on Monday, June 15, 1931. She was to be
coming from Oklahoma City and would leave Enid that same day after her appearances. She was to give demonstrations with her autogiro and was to be a guest of the Enid Air club at a luncheon. She was then to appear before the Oklahoma District Lions convention at the general session in the afternoon.

Earhart made it to Enid on June 15 at 9:10am. She arrived in her ‘Wind-Mill’ plane in an hour from Oklahoma City. Upon arriving in Enid, she gave a demonstration of how her plane operated at the Municipal air park. During the demonstration she flew over Enid but landed when a rainstorm appeared in the area.

At noon, Earhart was the guest of the Rotary club at their weekly luncheon in the Masonic temple downtown. The Enid Air club was in attendance and the program was turned over to them. Mrs. Putnam, as she was called in the paper, described this area as mighty fine country to fly over and noted that we had fine landing fields. She joked that she hated to fly back east but unfortunately she had a husband there.

Earhart later greeted members of the Oklahoma Lions Convention and area residents from the mezzanine floor of the Hotel Youngblood. She was described as having a friendly handshake and charming smile in a newspaper article. She spoke about wearing flying apparel everywhere she went and let the crowd know that she did not prefer flying gear to her normal clothes.

Mrs. Putnam described flying over our part of the state as one of the prettiest parts she had seen. She described watching farm sections that appeared as tiny patches of green. Earhart said Enid could be seen for a long distance and the town itself was beautiful.

Later in the afternoon, Enid resident George Zacharias, a member of the park board and a World War aviator, was taken for a ride over the city by Earhart in her autogiro. Earhart then left Enid flying back to Abilene.

Just six years later on July 2, 1937, during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in a Purdue-funded Lockheed Model 10 Electra, Earhart disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. To this day there is no explanation as what actually happened to Earhart.

The photos and tour dates for this article come from the Lincoln Highway Museum website. Unfortunately many of the photos were not labeled with location or the photographer that took them. We do not know where Earhart was when the featured photo was taken. Details of Earhart’s visit to Enid were found in microfiche copies of The Enid Daily Eagle and Enid Morning News from 1931 thanks to the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County.

Contact us at buzz@enidbuzz.com if you remember hearing stories of Earhart being in Enid or have an old family photo showing her in Enid.

Photos Of Earhart In Enid

UPDATED: June 16, 2015 – Kate Shaklee, daughter of Enid librarian Mary Shaklee, found these photos  while going through old family photos. Her dad’s grandfather, Waldo G. Clegg, was an editor for the Enid Morning News and was also an airplane enthusiast. The family does not believe Mr. Clegg took these photos but may have made copies from originals which were not identified.

We do not have 100% proof that these photos were taken in Enid, Oklahoma but the probability is very high. We would like to thank the Shaklee and Clegg families for allowing us to use these photos.

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Celebrate Freedom Memorial Day Ceremony will also honor three fallen families this year including Bart Arnold, USAF/City of Enid Policeman who died while on active duty. Col Chuck DeBellevue, USAF retired, will be the key note speaker along with Col Jay Johnson, Commander Vance Air Force Base, who will dedicate the new additions to the monuments and conduct the fallen heroes honor segment of the program. The Woodring Wall of Honor recently acquired a Kiowa and Huey helicopter for the museum. In Monday’s service, a special ceremony will be conducted by US Senator Candidate, Luke Holland, to dedicate the Kiowa helicopter to the Kiowa Nation and Kiowa Black Leggins Honor Society. An drum song will be held in tribute along with a cedar blessing ceremony by Kiowa warriors to complete the dedication. Tribal leadership and legislative members will be present for the ceremony. US Congressman Candidate, Wade Burleson, will give the invocation and benediction prayers and Elise Vanover will perform the National Anthem and sing special music. Legislative members, Senator Roland Pederson will present citations and John Pfeiffer will be the emcee. Mayor George Pankonin will welcome the crowd to the ceremony.

“We are celebrating our 20 year partnership with the Kiowa Black Leggins Honor Society this year. It’s going to be an honor for us to dedicate our newest acquisition during our annual Memorial Day Ceremonies. Local artist, Tox Morillo, has contributed to the dedication and we’re blessed to bring this helicopter back to Oklahoma in honor of the Kiowa Nation who call this state their homeland.”

The Woodring Wall of Honor has several opportunities to expand their cockpit static display by purchasing the T-38 for permanent placement in Enid. We’ve received $3,500 toward that goal and will have the aircraft on display on Monday.

For more information on any of the Memorial Day weekend activities in Enid, contact Elaine Johns at the Woodring Wall of Honor at 580-478-3034.

Red Dirt Run of Honor is postponed until November.

There are no advanced tickets necessary to purchase, and Lantern Tours are first-come, first-serve. The Heritage Center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with the special Lantern Tours starting at 7:00 p.m., with a new group starting every 20 minutes. The last group will begin at 9:00 p.m.

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located a 507 S. Fourth St. in Enid. For more information, please call 580-237-1907 or visit www.csrhc.org. The Heritage Center and Humphrey Heritage Village are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state.

Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.