"Gateway" Brings More Food & Festivals

“Gateway” Brings More Food & Festivals

We’re one week removed from the events of National Travel and Tourism Week, yet the Gateway of Southeast Oklahoma, continues to bring more festivals, culture, and amazing food to the visitors of Eufaula, McAlester, and Wilburton. Check out the details below to learn more about The McAlester Italian Festival, The Grillmarks Festivals Series and Eufaula Heritage Day Festival. 



McAlester, OK
Head to McAlester, OK, May 13th & 14th, for two great festivals!

50th Annual - McAlester Italian Festival


Experience the culture and food that fills the area known as Oklahoma’s Little Italy, with the 50th Annual Italian Festival. After a two-year hiatus, due to the COVID pandemic, this award-winning festival returns to the Southeast Expo Center, for two days of fun, food, music and more! The festival kicks off on Friday, May 13th at 11am, with house music and the opening of the food tents. Grab a plate filled with delicious spaghetti, meatballs and Italian sausage or order up a pizza and hot sandwich. Can’t decide? We won’t judge. Bring a few friends and sample it all! With so much food and desserts, there’s no reason to leave hungry. The 2 Hip Chicks Roadshow opens at noon, inside the Expo Center, with FREE admission and over a hundred different vendors and booths. The Expo grounds will feature additional fun and entertainment, such as pony rides, inflatables, specialty concessions, helicopter rides and an Italian history tent. The Wheels of Freedom Monster Truck will be available for rides and The Thomas Carnival* will host a variety of carnival rides, games and concessions. Live music will continue on the main stage, throughout the evening.

*Thomas Carnival Times:   Thursday, May 12th: 4pm – 10pm                        Friday, May 13th: 4pm – 11pm                        Saturday, May 14th: 11am – 11pm

 

Original 50thFlier Schedule Carnival



Day 2 of the festival kicks off on Saturday, May 14th, with the Meat Ball Nationals Car & Bike Show. Registration begins at 8am with awards and prizes being presented around noon. The 2 Hip Chicks Roadshow opens at 10:00am, and opening ceremonies, which include the crowning of this year’s Re & Regina (King & Queen), is set to begin at 10:30am. Food tents will open immediately following the coronation ceremonies. Contests for Best Sauce and the Kids Spaghetti Eating Contest will be held around 1:00pm. Be sure to register for both before 11:00am! Carnival rides, Monster Truck, live music and all other entertainment will return for Day 2 of the festival.


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The REAL McAlester Italian Festival Website      |      Facebook: The McAlester Italian Festival

 


Grillmarks Festival Series - Ribeye Cookoff & Lovera's Best Bite Challenge


Saturday, May 14th, Downtown McAlester will also play host to the 2022 Grillmarks Festival Series, featuring a Ribeye Cookoff and Lovera’s Best Bite Challenge, starting at 10:00am. Thirty-one teams will compete for cash and prizes totaling more than $5,000. There will be live music in the street, along with food trucks and samples from the competitors, while they last. Prairie Artisan Ales and Bierkraft will be pouring their fabulous beers in the beer garden and Spaceship Earth Coffee will host live music from the Paul Benjaman Band, after the results. Bring your lawn chairs, kick back and enjoy the food, fun and atmosphere of a lively festival, all in the heart of historic Downtown McAlester.

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The Grillmarks Festival Series | Facebook



Eufaula, OK

150 Years - Eufaula Heritage Day Festival

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Celebrate 150 years for Eufaula, Oklahoma, on Saturday, May 14th, as the city comes together to host the Eufaula Heritage Day Festival. Heritage Day is a community-focused celebration, focusing on, “The Story of our People… who we are and where we come from.” Enjoy downtown shopping and dining, history & culture, as well as a wide array of activities and events such as the Heritage Parade, Pie Eating Contest, Arts & Crafts, and the Mr. & Mrs. Heritage Ceremony. Start your day, celebrating at Xtreme RV Resort, with a car show, bike rally & poker run. Visit the Eufaula Area Museum to learn about the history and culture of the area’s earliest settlers or stop by the Eufaula Community Center and see the Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town for Indian Tacos and historical displays. Grab your commemorative T-shirt and keep your eyes peeled for reenactors and other historical events, happening all throughout town! Still looking for more? The fun and events don’t stop there. Jellystone Park Eufaula will host Yogi Bear’s 1st Annual Heritage Day’s Mini Golf Tournament & Tie Dye Party and FREE concert will wrap up the evening festivities at the Xtreme Amphitheater around 5:00pm, featuring The Hayseed Band and Bottoms Up Band. There’s so much to see and do, you won’t want to miss any of the excitement. Bring your family, friends, and kids to share in the uniquely Eufaula celebration, 150 years in the making.

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City of Eufaula OK | Facebook       |      Eufaula Heritage Days | Facebook


Did you find this article helpful? Did you enjoy the places or activities mentioned inside? What other interesting or fun activities did you encounter on your trip? Feel free to let us know! Share this article and help others learn about the activities and adventures in our area.
Email: billy.sumner@cityofmcalester.com


Other helpful & useful links:

www.cityofmcalester.com/tourism
www.mcalester.org
www.cityofeufaulaok.com
www.visitlakeeufaula.com
www.cityofwilburton.com
www.wilburtonmainstreet.com
www.latimercountyok.com
www.travelok.com/state-parks/robbers-cave-state-park