Recreational activities for your three-day weekend

  • Published
  • By Zach Sproul
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  "I've got a three-day weekend and I'm in Enid, Okla.; what now?" This is a question which may have rattled around inside the head of many a Vance Airman before the onset of an extended break from work.

Luckily, there is more to Oklahoma than meets the eye. Here are six ways to enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.

1. America's pastime: Enid welcomes the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series this weekend. Opening ceremonies start at 6:30 p.m., May 27, with a Super American Flag presentation, home run derby, fireworks and a special fly over by "Challenger," the bald eagle, at David Allen Ball Park. Admission is $5.

2. Take a jog: If baseball isn't your thing, then get out and get fit by taking part in the Red Dirt Run of Honor. The event will be held at Woodring Regional Airport, May 28, starting at 6:30 a.m. with a Half-Marathon memorial run, followed by a 5K Walk/Run at 8:00 a.m. The run is in honor of Oklahoma's fallen heroes and military service members. For information, call 580-554-0951.

3. Looking for a finer wine? Take a day trip to any of the wineries throughout northwest Oklahoma. There are two locations within 35 miles of Enid. Plain View Winery is just 12 miles down the road west on Highway 412 in Lahoma. Plymouth Valley Cellars Winery is located 6 miles south of Fairview on Highway 58.

Remember, if you plan to do extensive taste testing, be responsible and have a designated driver.

4. The great outdoors: Long weekends are a great time to partake in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing and water sports. Take the trip up to Alabaster Caverns State Park near Freedom to enjoy some cave exploration.

Exploration not your thing, then check out Little Sahara State Park located south of Waynoka. The park offers more than 1,600 acres of rideable sand dunes, so bring your ATV.

Fishing and boating opportunities abound not far from Enid. Great Salt Plains State Park offers a variety of things to do, from fishing to digging salt crystals. Canton Lake has more water surface for boating than Salt Plains. Canton also has great fishing and is located about an hour southwest of Enid. Keystone Reservoir near Tulsa also offers boating and fishing opportunities.

Adventuring a little further outside of northwest Oklahoma, one can make the three-hour trip to Tahlequah to float the Illinois River. The Illinois River is a class II river. There are plenty of resorts that offer camping, canoeing, rafting and float trips. Memorial Day Weekend is opening season for the river, so it may be busy.

5. Adventure for the ears: If you like music check out the three-day music festival, Rocklahoma, located just outside Pryor. This music fest starts May 27and runs through Sunday night. If you liked the big-hair bands of the '80s then this is your festival. Bands like Whitesnake, Poison and Motley Crue headline this Memorial Day Weekend music festival. For more information, check out their website at www.rocklahoma.com.

6. You can always get out on the deck with friends to barbeque and say thanks to our service men and women, both those currently serving and those who have served, for all they do.

For more Oklahoma trip ideas, contact the Vance Information, Tickets and Travel office at 213-7215.