89er Queen ready for upcoming celebration and festivities

By Van Mitchell

Dracyn Taylor recalled a time as a young girl attending the 89er Days festivities in Guthrie and getting to see the 89er queen in action. 

It was a memory that helped spur the Edmond Memorial High School sophomore to want to become a queen herself.  She was recently named as the 2014 89er Queen for the Guthrie 89er Days Celebration which runs April 15-19.

“When I was little I came down to one of the parades and I remember I saw the 89er queen and I always thought I would love to be that person,” Taylor said.

Taylor, 15, submitted her application and resume and competed against about five other contestants vying to be this year’s queen. The contestants competed in speech, horsemanship and interviews.

Taylor said she first learned of being named queen via her mother who received a text message from Carrie Fryar who serves as the queen coordinator.

“At first I didn’t know what to think because it was stiff competition,” Taylor said. “I still can’t believe it. I am so excited. I am so honored to have been crowned 89er queen. It is icing on the cake really.”

Taylor is no stranger to performing before crowds. In addition to her studies, she has participated in dance, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, track, barrel racing and cheer.

“I have been riding most of my life,” she said. “I love rodeo and I plan on running the barrels in it (89er rodeo).”

As part of her queen duties, Taylor will be giving speeches at several Guthrie civic clubs and school groups as well participating in the 89er Chuck wagon dinner, 89er rodeo and the 89er Day parade on Saturday, April 19 at noon.

Taylor will participate in the traditional Queen’s Breakfast prior to the parade activities. She will be joined by her queen predecessors including Eddie Lou Halsey, who is the oldest living 89er queen, a title she received in 1939.

“I am really looking forward to that breakfast where I get to meet the previous 89er queens,” Taylor said.

Taylor said it takes discipline to be able to handle her academic and queen duties. She credits her parents Keith Taylor and Dusty Taylor for helping guide her.

“My mom is the matriarch of my barrel racing, my sports, my family, my friends and my church,” Taylor said. “She is there 100 percent. She and my dad help me out with everything. With them it would be impossible.”

Dusty Taylor said she is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments.

“I am kind of strict on her,” Taylor said. “She has time to play but she has to do her school work and make good grades and take care of her horses. I am so proud of her. She is awesome.”

Dracyn Taylor said her future plans include attending Oklahoma State University and becoming an equine veterinarian.

“I love animals,” she said. “I feel like it (equine veterinarian) would be right at home. I wouldn’t feel like its work. Even though it is a job you never work a day in your life if you love what you do.”

A chuck wagon feast kicks off the 89er Days Celebration on Tuesday, April 15 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, April 16 thru Saturday, April 19 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 p.m. at Squires Field in downtown Guthrie, followed by the traditional Old Timers game with period uniforms and equipment. For more information call (405) 260-1342.

On Thursday, April 17 a free family movie night featuring “Field of Dreams” sponsored by the City of Guthrie will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at the Territorial Capital Sports Museum located at 315 West Oklahoma Avenue.

On Friday, April 18, starting at 5p.m. the Guthrie Kiwanis’ Club will host a “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, the 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 as parade marshal.

For more information about the 89er Week events visit www.89erdays.com or call (405) 282-2589.