Christmas in July is just around the corner

26^th Annual FOSS LAKE CHRISTMAS IN JULY Festival

A SALUTE TO VETERANS AND CURRENT MILITARY

The following announcement was provided by Neva Pyatt

It is time to mark your calendars for the 26^th Annual Foss Lake Christmas in July Festival, July 8^th and 9^th, 2016.  This event is planned for the entire family!  Friday, July 9th all the vendors will be in place by 1:00 with the opening ceremony at 6pm at the Main Stage, north of the Marina on Cedar Point, where our Veterans and current Military will be honored. The Altus AFB Honor Guards will present the colors. The Cheyenne Community Choir, directed by Casey King, will present a medley of patriotic music.

This year there will be a Bike Show following the Veterans program, where Foss Lake Association will match the proceeds from the entry fees and that will go to the VA Center in Clinton.   Come and show your support and appreciation for the men and women who have given their time and service to provide a free country in which we can reside!

This year we have a very special ceremony on Friday evening at 7:30 where the Boy Scouts, Western Plains District, will have a “Flag Retiring Ceremony”.  That ceremony will take place on Cedar Point, north of the Marina. If you have a flag you want to retire contact Bryce Murphy at 580-774-8480.

Next up, J W Lane and County Road X will be bringing a free concert on the Main stage from 8-11pm.  Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the music and the evening. Friday will also be a good time to go thru the vendors who will have jewelry, t-shirts, crafts and of course, great food. And, the kids always love the rides offered by the carnival including a zip-line and a slip and slide.  These vendors are going to set up Friday and stay until late Saturday night, so come out and see all the fun things that they have to offer.

Another new event this year is the “Dam Color Run 2016”  starting at 7:00 at the Foss State Park office.  The run is organized by the non-profit group “Project Snip and Stitch” with the proceeds benefitting Project Snip and Stitch and the Foss Lake Association. For additional information go to their Facebook page or register for the run at active.com.   Project Snip and Stitch is a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Western Oklahoma. Call them at 580-323-0752 for more information.

Registration begins at 9:00 Saturday morning at the Foss State Park Office for a poker run which will benefit the Veterans Center in Clinton.  Register for $20. High hand will receive at least $500. Last bike out is at 10:00 and last bike is in at 2:00. Gardner Guns donated a pistol to help raise additional funds for the Veterans.  Tickets will be $10.   Contact Cindy Hunnicutt at 580-445-4450 or Willaim Morrison at 580-821-0990. 

The Foss Lake Little King and Queen Pageant will is at 10:30 in the Main Stage area,.  Entry forms are available at Broadway Babies, Stage and Carousel Connection in Elk City, the Pink Zebra in Clinton, B & K Bait House and the Park office at Foss Lake.  Come and cheer for these little ones as they take the stage.

The Gospel Music Jamboree will be in the Main stage area at 6 pm, Saturday, featuring April and Zach Gaddis from Weatherford.  They will sharing from their new album, “From A to Z” . 

The 9 hole Disc Golf Course will be open the entire weekend and is a great way for the family to have fun. The festival will close with a spectacular fireworks display at dusk Saturday night wrapping up the 26^th Annual Christmas in July Festival.

This event is sponsored by many area companies and businesses each year and organized by dedicated volunteers. Please support our sponsors when you have the opportunity and thank the volunteers who come and help. If you would like to help please contact Neva at 580-497-6217, Joe at 580-497-6130 or Eric at B & K Bait House – 580-592-4518.  

Foss Lake Association contributes to many projects around the lake.  One of the ways the Association helped was with the purchase of a Side-scan sonar for Foss Lake. This piece of equipment helped solve two 40 year old disappearance cases. Your donation at the entrance to the festival is greatly appreciated and will go towards other projects around the lake and camp grounds.

The water levels are up and every doc is open, so, bring your boat, camper, tent, family and friends to the 26^th Annual Foss Lake Christmas in July Festival, July 8^th and 9th.  This promises to be a fun-filled weekend with events for everyone to enjoy. You can now reserve camping spots at Foss State Park by going to gocampok.com.  Reservations must be made 5 days in advance.  Foss Lake is located between Elk City and Clinton, North of Foss Oklahoma.  Take I-40 to exit 53, go north on Hwy. 44 about 6 ½ miles to highway 73 west.  Go a few 100 yards west and on the right you will see the Foss Lake sign.  Follow the signs toward the Marina.

See you at Foss Lake July 9^th and 10^th.