Holiday in the Park board continues plans for festival

The Holiday in the Park board met Thursday to continue discussing plans for the annual festival beginning Nov. 18.

Many updates were discussed as well as new changes.

The board will move forward with Chief’s Ice House, who will pay $350 for a flat rate to do business.

Mini Golf will start at the end of October, with golf balls and clubs included in the set up.

Four Christkindle cabins and the Santa Hat have arrived at Elmer Thomas Park on the East end.

As of publication, the board is conceptually working on the map of the festival. Locations discussed include a loop around the lake and potentially cutting through Prairie Dog Way due to Aquatic Center construction.

The board is looking for participants for the Frost Your Fanny race. Currently, they only have one person registered and are trying to order shirts. To register for the race, go to https://form.jotform.com/242707421332145.

The race will have its original route, which will start at 5 p.m. and will include the 3rd Street tunnel, Ferris Ave. and 2nd Street. They discussed obtaining more lights for the race with the Hilton Garden Inn and BancFirst hosting drink tables at the race as well.

So far, there 20 entries in the parade with two Rodeo Queens, including the Walters and Lawton Queens, participating.

Jason Poudrier, Lawton Arts & Humanities Administrator, talked about potentially recruiting bands for the first time at the festival. One potential performer he mentioned was Alison Yates, though no plans are set in stone.

The board discussed buying new decorations for Holiday House. It also discussed selling wristbands for activities including the train, Mini Golf and Ice Skating instead of paying for every single activity. Wristbands will be about $20 per night and guests will receive unlimited plays.

Throughout the next few meetings, they will discuss the idea of season passes.

As for volunteers, they currently have around 60-80 volunteers scheduled for Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, with Raising Cane’s possibly offering lunch on those days. There 30-40 volunteers signed up for Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Seventy-five Lawton High School students will also volunteer on Oct. 27.