From a government formerly run by the fire department to the 1901 land lottery, Lawton has a colorful history. One hundred twenty-three years later, there’s cause to celebrate.
The City of Lawton will celebrate its birthday from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium, 801 NW Ferris.
Representatives of Oklahoma will be there to interact and share information and stories about Lawton-Fort Sill’s history, according to a letter from Mayor Stan Booker.
There will be a reception in the lobby at 5 p.m., with light refreshments and a cake cutting celebration, the letter said. The cake will be cut by the oldest Lawtonian, 101-year-old Dr. Bill Jolly.
At 6 p.m., there will be a new historical performance telling the story of one of Lawton’s prominent historical figures, Mattie Beal, the letter said.
Jason Poudrier, Arts and Humanities Administrator, said they change up the theme each year.
“This year, we’re focusing on the story of Mattie Beal,” Poudrier said. “It’s kind of a love story between Mattie Beal (Payne) and her husband Charles Payne.”
Poudrier said they will have the 145th Army Band from the National Guard playing in the lobby. Due to the 77th Army Band’s disbanding in October, they are no longer taking requests.
The event is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. with a special musical performance from the musical “Oklahoma!,” performed by the Lawton Philharmonic and Lawton Pro-Musica, the letter said. There will also be an awards ceremony led by Booker.
“Celebrating the outstanding contributions of our citizens is a cornerstone of our community spirit in Lawton,” Booker said in a press release. “This year’s award winners exemplify dedication, service and excellence, making our city a better place for everyone.”
Jeanette Klein, who was committee chairman for Children’s United, is a recipient of the Outstanding Citizen 2024 award. She originally wanted the award to go to the committee.
“I’m speechless,” Klein said. “It was a very pleasant and unexpected phone call.”
The event is orchestrated by the City of Lawton Arts and Humanities Division, with support from several local organizations, including the Comanche Nation, Buffalo Soldiers, Pioneer Women and Lawton Rangers, the letter said.
To reserve seats or for additional information, contact Poudrier at (580) 581-3470 or at [email protected].
Want to reach a local audience and grow your business?
Our website is the perfect platform to connect with engaged readers in your local area.
Whether you're looking for banner ads, sponsored content, or custom promotions, we can tailor a package to meet your needs.
Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities!
CONTACT US NOW
