Governor Mary Fallin Parade Grand Marshal for ‘89ers

Governor Mary Fallin, Parade Grand Marshal, will be leading the ‘89er Celebration at noon on Saturday April 19th in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

The ‘89er Celebration Week, commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Land Run of 1889, culminates with the “largest parade in Oklahoma”. Dennis Ochs, Parade Chairman, notes “We are so honored and pleased that Governor Fallin has agreed to be our parade grand marshal this year. As the leader of our great state, on the 125th anniversary of the land run and since Guthrie is the only officially recognized ‘89er Celebration City in the state, it is fitting that she lead this parade.”

The parade will begin promptly at noon moving from the Masonic Temple on eastern Oklahoma Avenue, processing west to 2nd Street and then returning one block to the south on Harrison Avenue. The parade will conclude at Division Street. In addition to the Governor there will be many dignitaries representing the city, county and state. It has been rumored that there may even be a “Will Rogers and Wiley Post” sighting among the participants. Of course the India Shriners will be there along with the present and past ‘89er Queens and Princesses, lots of floats, classic cars, rodeo club riders, and of course bands.

Ochs commented about the bands, “Keeping with our tradition, leading the parade will be the Guthrie High School Marching Band. We are really excited to have the Langston University Marching Pride Band join us this year. Their music and moves are sure to entertain everyone!”

Edmond North Jazz Band will be on the move in this year’s parade as they will be playing on a huge flat bed trailer as it motivates along the parade corridor. The Star Spencer High School band has been a regular at the parade for a number of years and will be back with a great sound. Each year members of the Guthrie Junior High Band contribute their enthusiastic talents to the parade and keep the toe tapping going. The Bag & Pipe Band from Tulsa will again add their unique music and flair to the parade route. The 45th Infantry Band brings a precision and tone that will impress each of the 30,000 observers lining the streets of downtown Guthrie.

“A special treat is in store for all fiddle enthusiasts as internationally famous Byron Berline, widely considered one of the finest fiddle players in the world, and his band are “going mobile” and will be playing on the top of a “moving stage” from the parade’s start to the finish. It is going to be fun,” Ochs concluded with.

Steve Gentling, Celebration Chairman, commented “We are really pleased that Edward Jones Investment, Dan Newton, has sponsored the live broadcast of the entire parade on local channel, Cox 20, with commentators Chris Evans and Phil Nichols conducting interviews and adding their unique perspective of the parade and the rich history of the ‘89ers.”

Information on all these activities and more may be found on “89erdays.com” web site or by calling 282-2589. You may also receive information and share happenings on face book pages (89er days; or Stake Your Claim 5k) for pictures, sharing and comments.