Flag of Oklahoma

Good morning, y’all. Thank you for tuning in to Commint Languages second podcast. This is Ashley J.

Background

As someone who was born and raised in Oklahoma, I often get asked where Oklahoma is and what sorts of things are there to do there. First of all, Oklahoma is the middle state between Kansas, to the north; Texas to the south. Arkansas, to the east; and a small section of New Mexico and Colorado touches Oklahoma’s panhandle and the Western part of the state while Missouri’s border also touches a part of Oklahoma in the Northeast.

 

Oklahoma is one of just nine states—there are of course 50 in the United States—with a panhandle shape to its borders. A panhandle is called that because the section of the state looks like or resembles a cooking pan.

Besides Oklahoma’s interesting geographical makeup, there are even more fantastic people and activities to do in Oklahoma. Since the first day of fall was just a few short days ago, and it’s still September 1st. Let’s begin.

What Fun Activities Are There to Do in Oklahoma?

The State Fair of Oklahoma (September)

During the month of September, the Oklahoma State Fair begins and lasts for a duration of two weeks.

It only comes once a year, so you had better see it while you can. State fairs are unique in that they offer you so many things to do. If you like to eat, and want to try food rethought of and cooked in seemingly strange ways, the fair will delight you and your palette, giant Turkey legs, root beer—which has no alcohol in it, actually, it’s just a sugar beverage—corn dogs, fried Twinkies, Oreos, etc. After you finish eating, why not enjoy an amusement ride on one of the fairs numerous rides. Tired of walking? Have a sit and be entertained with the rodeo, car show or horse show.

 

Myriad Gardens & Shakespeare in the Park

Although I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life, I had never attended a play in one of the state’s most beautiful gardens.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens. Shakespeare in the Park is celebrating its 30th year in the Park and I had the privilege of watching them perform Macbeth last week. I certainly recommend this one and they offer several different Shakespeare plays throughout the summer, and different plays throughout the year.

 

Ballet

Oklahoma city, as well as Tulsa in the Northeast of the state have brilliant dance, opera and theater scenes and the Nutcracker, which is one of my favorites, in the winter, is something I make sure to rarely miss.

October is my favorite month of the year and Halloween my favorite holiday. Okay. It’s not a real holiday, but it’s a real—really American celebration. It’s a little known fact to most people outside of Oklahoma, but the state has several German, Czech, and Polish populations and they hold their own cultural celebrations during this month and throughout the year. For example, October Fest just ended, and if you can’t make it to Munich for their annual one, why not come to Oklahoma’s?

Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC)

The Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team, as well as the NBA, start their season around this time and you certainly don’t want to be the only one to miss out on Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook Westbrook, excuse me, throwing the whole state and downtown, which we call Bricktown, area into a frenzy with a high voltage game.

Other Sports

Oklahoma City also has a hockey team, the Barons; a baseball team, the Redhawks and a major league soccer team called the OKC Energy.

If you don’t like professional sports, check out the university of Oklahoma Sooners, or OU, the University of Central Oklahoma is Broncos UCO; Oklahoma State University Cowboys, OSU; or Oklahoma City university Stars collegiate sports teams and support your favorite team boomer sooner.

Holidays

During the Christmas season, numerous cities, and sometimes whole neighborhoods decorate their houses with Xmas for Christmas trees, Santa, reindeers, Christmas lights, et cetera. As a child, my family would take my brother and I around town to view these beautiful homes. I suggest you have a look at them and hope you enjoy them as much as I do and did.

During January there’s a Martin Luther King Jr., Or M.L.K. Jr., parade that is certainly sure, a tantalize your cultural curiosity.

Museums

If you enjoy museums, Oklahoma has a no shortage of them. Norman has a dinosaur museum with yes, real skeletons bones from Oklahoma. Just a short drive from there is Moore where you can visit the bones museum or the Museum of Osteology.

Oklahoma City Art Museum holds the world’s largest Chihuly glass art. Can you spot the cheurbims in his glasswork?

One museum is near and dear to all Oklahomans and was the site of a terrorist attack nearly 20 years ago. No, it’s obviously not 9/ 11, but it’s 4/19 .This was the day that an American took his revenge out on Oklahoma and the government and killed many, many people. Although I was a small child, I still remember just day very clearly and nearly lost my aunt in the blasts to crim– commemorate those that lost their lives and never forget them. The OKC Murrah Bombing Memorial Museum was constructed. I highly suggest you go see this and just remember, “we will never forget.”

Well, now it’s really interesting. The amount of comments I get about the Cowboys in Oklahoma. And I have to be honest, we’re not all Cowboys. Sorry to disappoint you, but you can head over to the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum to have a look at cowboy art, memorabilia and an authentic mud house.

If you’re still in a cowboy cowgirl mood, take a ride over to Shepler’s and buy some nice boots ,buttondown shirts, and of course, a cowboy hat.

Giddy-up!

Horse Ranch

Speaking of horses, why not treat your eyes and senses with a trip to a horse ranch. You’ll certainly have somewhere to wear your new cowboy outfit. The Express Horse Ranch has an authentic Amish barn as well as Clydesdale.

Fabulous.

Still in a country mood? Try your hand at square dancing at some live music downtown, or even a trip to the Orr Family Farm to see how a real farm works.

Fort

Want to see an old cowboy fort? Head on over to Fort Reno to see an old west cowboy Fort. It’s often overlooked, but Oklahoma, and indeed the Americas, are the native homelands of the indians.

Native America

Oklahoma is called Native America because many natives were forcibly removed from their homes and forced to settle in Oklahoma. The word “Oklahoma” means “home of the red man” or “red people” and as a Choctaw, which is a native American tribe, one of many, word. As this is Native America, you can bet there are many things to see and museums and cultural centers to visit as well as power Wows and other native activities.

The Red Dirt Festival’s in June is a nice festival if a witness or even Indian city, which is an authentic native American village.

State Park

If you like more outdoors activities, why not pick a lovely area like Osage star, State Park in Pawhuska, Oklahoma or the mountains in the south of the state.

Extreme Sport

If you like rock climbing, we don’t want to go too far to do your activity. Why not go to Rocktowns climbing gym to get to your fix.

Juneteenth

Oklahoma is also home to many African-Americans and one little known celebration is that of Junteenth. This celebration as one of the oldest ones commemorating the end to slavery in the United States, it’s celebrated on June 19th.

Boathouse District

Lastly, I’d like to add that the OKC river or boathouse district offers so many enjoyable outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, or rowing , and they’re even the site for Olympic training.

Science, Aquarium, & Zoo 

And really the last three places to visit in Oklahoma are the Omniplex, aquarium, and the zoo. The Omniplex is in OKC as well as being directly next to the Zoo and as a science museum, where you do real experiments and see a space museum. The aquarium is in Jenks, Tulsa.

Conclusion

All right, guys, that’s it for me this morning.

I hope you enjoyed our real English podcast about Oklahoma. We hope to see you in the great state of Oklahoma and especially in Oklahoma city. Enjoying the sun, the state and the warm people. This is Ashley J for Commint Languages. Check out our Twitter, like our Facebook page and visit our website at www dot comment, languages.com.

Y’all have a good one.