Summer might be coming to an end, but someone might wanna tell the good people up at beautiful Grand Lake. Folks there don’t seem to go by the same calendar as the rest of us, and they’re not ready to let go of the good times and long, sunny days just yet. Of course, as any Oklahoman can attest, just because we’ve past the end of August, the cool weather that greets those folks up north can still be a month or two away, a fact that the lake lovers know how to take full advantage of.
Grand Lake Rally
Look for the heat to stick around long enough to welcome bikers and fun-seekers from all around the area when the first annual Grand Lake Rally kicks off on Thursday September 11 in Grove and continuing throughout the Grand Lake area through Sunday September 14. A celebration of all the fantastic things Grand Lake has to offer, this is definitely not your average bike rally. For starters, while any biker rally worth its salt includes a poker run, the Grand Lake Rally’s run promises over $5000 in cash prizes and stops at some of the area’s coolest destinations, from JR Spanky’s to the historic Pensacola Dam. Plus you’ll get a chance to meet and have your picture taken with Miss Sturgis 2008 Rachel Reilly. But don’t get your hopes up guys, even if she gives you her number, it probably won’t be her real one. But maybe motorcycles aren’t necessarily your cup of tea. Not to worry.
The real action revs up Saturday at South Grand Lake Regional Airport in Ketchum, where you can check out the Keels, Wheels and Wings classic boat, car and airplane display, plane flyovers, drag races, a fashion show and, of course, the beer garden. Of course, no self-respecting bike rally would be complete without a little live music to entertain the crowd, and the first annual Grand Lake Rally is showing a deep respect for itself and its attendees in bringing local favorites Hurricane Mason to the stage. But that’s not all, no, not by a long shot. Ever hear of a little band called Molly-freaking-Hatchet? You read that right. Molly Hatchet, the same dudes that you hear every time you see that commercial for the southern rock legends compilation cd on TV, will be playing live, honest to goodness southern badass rock right on the shores of beautiful Grand Lake. Imagine the chicks you’ll see.
The fun starts at 9am on Thursday September 11 at the Grove Civic Center. Admission is free for all events in Grove. The festivities at Rally Central, at the South Grand Lake Regional Airport, kick off at 9am on Saturday September 13. Admission is $20 for the rally and the concert. For more information on the first annual Grand Lake Rally check out www.grandlakerally.com, and for more information about rock legends Molly Hatchet, well, just google ‘em, man.
Hook N Cookoff
The endless summer continues as the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 15th Annual Hook N Cookoff, Grand Lake’s yearly celebration of the search to find the best catfish chef in the country. The event is in its seventh year as a nationally recognized cookoff, so when the folks at the chamber say the winner will be recognized as the best catfish chef in the country, they actually mean it. Held at the beautiful Pelican Landing Resort, the Hook N Cookoff is a great opportunity to meet and get to know some of your neighbors from the community and all around the lake. It is also the place to be if you want to taste some of the best catfish around. Actually, it’s the place to be if you want to taste the best catfish in the United States! Hear that, catfish lovers?
Awards will be given for presentation, spirit and people’s choice. The people’s choice award will be determined by the amount of “tasting kits” each team is able to sell. Tasting kits are available for $5 apiece, and the more you sell, the more votes you get.
10’x10’ booths are available to vendors for $50. The entry fee for competitors is $150, and includes 45 lbs. of catfish. Additional catfish can be purchased for $45 per 15 lbs.
For information on how to enter the Hook N Cookoff, contact Kristal Hodges at the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce by calling (918)782-3214 or by email at khodges@granklakechamber.org.
The 15th Annual Hook N Cookoff will be held September 26 and 27. Pelican Landing Resort is located four miles east of Ketchum on highway 85.
25th Annual Pelican Festival
Even the folks at Grand Lake have to admit summer is over sometime, and each year they do so by celebrating the return of the American White Pelican to the waters of the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees with the Pelican Festival this October 3-5.
The centerpiece of this year’s silver anniversary festival will be a juried arts and crafts show to be held on the Grove Community Center lawn. There will also be live music and a variety of other entertainment and activities are in the works.
The Pelican Festival is being put on in a joint effort between the Grand Lake Association and the Grove Downtown Merchants Association. For more information, call (918)786-2333 or by visiting the Grand Lake Association website at www.glaok.com.
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