Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Land Run of 1889 with a theme of “The Great Run” is the focus of this year’s ‘89er button.
Linda Harris and Jarrett George of Red Dirt Design were the authors of the design and are pleased with how it all came together.
“Each year we try to match the theme with the historical significance of the Land Run and I think we captured both concepts with this button” Harris said. “Of course this year we had added a “new” twist to the button, because the committee has resurrected the concept of having to serve some “jail time” during Celebration Week if you are caught not wearing the button. It should be fun and the button sales and the “jail time” fines raise money for a good cause supporting the various ‘89er events.”
In addition to keeping people “out of jail”, the ‘89er buttons have become a much sought after collector’s item with various sizes and shapes sprinkling the over 80 years of button history.
Famous people have graced the face of the ‘89er Button but there have been only three individual names have actually been used on the buttons; Tom Mix, Lucille Mulhull and Eddie Lou Halsey.
In addition to the buttons, ribbons were produced and worn by those with direct lineage to the participants of the land run. Ribbons reflecting the wearer as the “Son or Daughter of 89ers” have since given way to ribbons reflecting “Grandson or Granddaughter of 89ers”.
Harris said the buttons and ribbons are a unique part of the tradition and heritage of the ‘89er.
“Get your buttons early this year, because they are in limited quantities and it would be too bad to get “thrown in jail” because you didn’t have one and we were all sold out,” Harris said.
Steve Gentling, chairman of the ‘89er Committee encouraged people to participate in the only official ‘89er Celebration in the state, April 14-19 in Guthrie.
“It is a week of great family entertainment, super food and a wonderful time to share with friends,” Gentling said.
Gentling said merchant store fronts are decorated reflecting the theme and history of the land run.
A chuck wagon feast kicks off the Celebration on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Logan County fairgrounds with food, music and live and silent auctions.
A family focused carnival comes to town Wednesday thru Saturday with over 80 craft and food vendors lining the streets.
The Guthrie High School sophomore baseball team faces off against Midwest City Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Squires Field in downtown Guthrie, followed by the traditional Old Timers game with period uniforms and equipment.
Thursday night a free family movie night featuring “Field of Dreams” will be shown at the Territorial Sports Museum.
Friday’s events include cars, motorcycles, bands and dancers filling Oklahoma Ave in downtown Guthrie. At 5p.m. Guthrie Kiwanis’ Club sponsors a special “Big Wheel” race for kids ages 3-7. At 6 p.m. over 200 classic cars and motorcycles will be parked on Oklahoma Avenue for the “Gasser, Geezers and Hogs” event sponsored by the Guthrie Rotary Club.
Following those “Wheel” events, Guthrie Noon Lions Club is sponsoring two bands and an old fashioned street dance at Oklahoma and Second Street.
Friday and Saturday nights feature a rodeo at the fairgrounds starting at 7:30 p.m.
The “Stake Your Claim” 5K run is set for 10 a.m. Saturday just before the “Largest Parade in Oklahoma” marches through downtown Guthrie at noon with Gov. Mary Fallin leading the way.
The 89er button can be purchased in Guthrie at Willoby’s Feed and Outfitters, Rick’s Fine Chocolates and Coffees, Above the Rest Antiques, Legend’s Food and Sport, Pizza Hut, Guthrie Chamber of Commerce, BancFirst, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Interbank, Oklahoma State Bank, IBC Bank,
For more information about the 89er Week events visit www.89erdays.com or call (405) 282-2589.
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