Eight ways to kick off your summer fun

  • Published
  • By Jamie Topliff
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Memorial Day has arrived, ushering in a season of outdoor activities, vacations and holidays. There is plenty to do in Oklahoma this weekend, locally and around the state. Here are eight ideas to kick off your summer.

Participate in the Red Dirt Run of Honor: In true Memorial Day spirit, this annual 5K and half marathon is organized to honor the lives of Oklahoma's fallen heroes. It is scheduled to start at 7 a.m., May 25, at Woodring Regional Airport. You can find more information and register at www.reddirtrun.com.

Enjoy the great outdoors: If you are planning a barbecue and need a canopy, extra tables and chairs, bean bag toss or bocce ball, check out Vance's Outdoor Recreation and Equipment Rental. Additionally, they rent kayaks, ski and fishing boats, A-frame pop-up campers, and much more. They will be open seven day a week starting May 25. Call 213-7348 for operating hours. For rental prices and an inventory list, visit www.vance71fss.com/equipmentrental.

Cool off at Plains Pool: Vance's swimming pool opens May 25 for the summer. The hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. To purchase a day or season pass, stop by the Fitness Center desk before heading to the pool.

Take a ride on the wild side: Just an hour and fifteen minutes west of Enid, Little Sahara State Park provides visitors the opportunity to ride all-terrain vehicles around 1,600 acres of sand dunes. If you don't have an ATV, Stewart's ATV and Buggy rents to park visitors and is located near the dunes.

Sleep under the stars: There are 35 Oklahoma state parks to enjoy before the weather gets too warm. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is two hours and forty-five minutes southwest of Enid, near Lawton. In addition to its dozens of camping sites, the refuge has 15 miles of hiking trails, fishing, rock climbing and the 2,464-foot Mount Scott.
One hour and thirty minutes east, Keystone Lake is a little closer to Enid. While its fishing is what makes this lake popular, you can also mountain bike, swim, hike and camp at Keystone State Park.

Listen to music: Rocklahoma is a three-day music festival about two hours east of Enid near Pryor. The festival starts on May 24 and features Guns N' Roses, Alice in Chains, Korn and dozens of other hard-rock bands. For ticket information, visit www.rocklahoma.com.
If hard rock is not your thing, relax in Stephenson Park with the smooth sounds of the Edmond Jazz and Blues Festival that runs May 25 and 26. The festival features nine performers, with American blues musician Watermelon Slim headlining Saturday evening. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.edmondjazzandblues.org.

Get your kicks on Route 66: Oklahoma provides a unique opportunity to relive the past and travel down some of the original stretches of Route 66. Grab a fried-onion burger and milkshake at Sid's in El Reno, then head east to Arcadia's POPS and the Round Barn. Plan your trip at www.travelok.com/route_66.

Pay your respects: The Woodring Wall of Honor is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m., May 27. The service at Woodring Regional Airport will honor Oklahoma's fallen heroes and pay tribute to all who have served in the nation's armed forces.

Whatever you decide to do for your holiday, stay safe.

For more information on Oklahoma travel opportunities, visit www.travelok.com.