Celebrating 100 years
Local centennial projects to cost the city money
Brendan Hoover
Several Oklahoma Centennial projects which have been approved for Mustang in 2007 are in varying stages of development, some on schedule and some waiting for funding by the appropriate agency.
Two of the projects are events to be held in Mustang next year, and the other two projects would enhance the Mustang Town Center and Wild Horse Park.
The Oklahoma Centennial Mustang National Car Show on April 20-22, and the 31st Annual Mustang Western Days on Sept. 7-8, are gaining more notoriety and distinction by being designated Oklahoma Centennial events, city manager David Cockrell said.
“We are going to expect more planning,” Cockrell said. “But we aren’t gong to have to change or alter our plans. We are expecting more attendance. The economic impact will be greater.”
According to the Oklahoma Centennial website, 50,000 people are expected to attend Western Days this year.
Mustang Chamber of Commerce director Becky Julian said that applications for the events were submitted to the Oklahoma Capitol and Centennial Commemoration Commission. The commission chose to accept them because they are relevant to the state’s history, Julian said.
“We naturally want to bring in more events that deal with the state’s history, like the American Indian dancing demonstrations,” Julian said in regard to Western Days. “The level of the state historical events (in Western Days) depends on the sponsorship. It costs money to put on the entertainment.”
Western Days events include a chili cook-off, a carnival, the 5K Fun Run, the parade, and Armed Forces displays.
The Mustang National Car Show is relying heavily on private sponsorships to help pay for its event. The show is attracting Ford Mustang enthusiasts from across the country. Joe Cooper Ford of Oklahoma, Car FX of Tulsa and the City of Mustang are among the sponsors who have donated at least $2,000 to the event, according to the Oklahoma Mustang Club’s website.
The car show is hosting a Native American Pow Wow on Friday, April 20th to help celebrate the centennial. On Saturday, April 21st, those participants who wish can go as group to Bricktown in Oklahoma City.
Another of the Oklahoma Centennial projects would add three, one-and-a-half ton bronze horses to Wild Horse Park. The statues would be one wild Mustang, one mare, and one colt galloping in succession on the plains, Parks and Recreations Director Justin Battles said.
However, funding for the bronze statues is not solidified, Battles said.
If funding comes through for the $100,000 project, a third would be paid by the centennial commission, a third by private donations, and a third by the City of Mustang, he said. The approval for the funds must come from the state legislature, and the body should decide within the next 60 days, Battles said.
If the funding is approved, a two-and-a-half foot scale model of the project would be on display at the Town Center, he said.
The other project is the Oklahoma Centennial Clock, which will hopefully be dedicated at the Town Center by April 1, Julian said.
The clock is a 16-foot, four-faced Victorian clock that the Centennial commission is offering to cities across Oklahoma. The cost for the clock is $24,995, not counting installation.
Local centennial projects to cost the city money
Brendan Hoover
Several Oklahoma Centennial projects which have been approved for Mustang in 2007 are in varying stages of development, some on schedule and some waiting for funding by the appropriate agency.
Two of the projects are events to be held in Mustang next year, and the other two projects would enhance the Mustang Town Center and Wild Horse Park.
The Oklahoma Centennial Mustang National Car Show on April 20-22, and the 31st Annual Mustang Western Days on Sept. 7-8, are gaining more notoriety and distinction by being designated Oklahoma Centennial events, city manager David Cockrell said.
“We are going to expect more planning,” Cockrell said. “But we aren’t gong to have to change or alter our plans. We are expecting more attendance. The economic impact will be greater.”
According to the Oklahoma Centennial website, 50,000 people are expected to attend Western Days this year.
Mustang Chamber of Commerce director Becky Julian said that applications for the events were submitted to the Oklahoma Capitol and Centennial Commemoration Commission. The commission chose to accept them because they are relevant to the state’s history, Julian said.
“We naturally want to bring in more events that deal with the state’s history, like the American Indian dancing demonstrations,” Julian said in regard to Western Days. “The level of the state historical events (in Western Days) depends on the sponsorship. It costs money to put on the entertainment.”
Western Days events include a chili cook-off, a carnival, the 5K Fun Run, the parade, and Armed Forces displays.
The Mustang National Car Show is relying heavily on private sponsorships to help pay for its event. The show is attracting Ford Mustang enthusiasts from across the country. Joe Cooper Ford of Oklahoma, Car FX of Tulsa and the City of Mustang are among the sponsors who have donated at least $2,000 to the event, according to the Oklahoma Mustang Club’s website.
The car show is hosting a Native American Pow Wow on Friday, April 20th to help celebrate the centennial. On Saturday, April 21st, those participants who wish can go as group to Bricktown in Oklahoma City.
Another of the Oklahoma Centennial projects would add three, one-and-a-half ton bronze horses to Wild Horse Park. The statues would be one wild Mustang, one mare, and one colt galloping in succession on the plains, Parks and Recreations Director Justin Battles said.
However, funding for the bronze statues is not solidified, Battles said.
If funding comes through for the $100,000 project, a third would be paid by the centennial commission, a third by private donations, and a third by the City of Mustang, he said. The approval for the funds must come from the state legislature, and the body should decide within the next 60 days, Battles said.
If the funding is approved, a two-and-a-half foot scale model of the project would be on display at the Town Center, he said.
The other project is the Oklahoma Centennial Clock, which will hopefully be dedicated at the Town Center by April 1, Julian said.
The clock is a 16-foot, four-faced Victorian clock that the Centennial commission is offering to cities across Oklahoma. The cost for the clock is $24,995, not counting installation.
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