Between storms, tax due dates and the onslaught of spring fever, our attendance at the weekly chamber luncheon was down considerably from previous times. The five in attendance were Steve Clinkenbeard, Chance Clinkenbeard, Cheryl Hill, Mike Bradley and myself.

We had a great lunch, however, and there is a lot of excitement about our new golf tournament, which is scheduled for May 17 at Pecan Valley Golf Course. Besides plans to have a lot of fun and prizes for this four-man scramble, our biggest challenge is going to be how to get “First Annual Fort Gibson Chamber of Commerce Historic Golf Tournament” on a T-shirt … ha! It promises to be great fun.

Just a reminder, it will be a four-man scramble, with a fee of $50 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, a two-person cart, lunch, and a T-shirt.

There will also be prizes and drawings, along with cash prize money for the top foursomes. Did I mention that “bogeys” will be available at two for $5, for those of us that need them? So mark you calendar for Saturday, May 17, beginning at 9 a.m. It is open to anyone from novice to pro, and will be fun for the whole family.

We have mentioned that the Car Show is June 13 and 14, but perhaps many of the details have not been totally shared. You can register now, online, at www.fortgibslocarshow.com, where you can also view photos from last year’s show.

All entrants will be eligible for the $1,000 cash drawing, and if you register early online, you will receive an “extra” chance for that drawing. We will also give out trophies to the top 100 entries, and three 5’ “Best of Show” trophies in each category — cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Music, food and merchandise vendors, and a large “Jupiter Jump” for the kids will also be part of the Saturday show. In addition to the show on Saturday, Friday will feature a “Keith Hardware Kruise Night”, that will begin at 5:30, and consist of following a designated route, with three $100 cash prizes given out to randomly selected vehicles.

Beginning at 7 p.m., in front of Keith Hardware, we will feature a new event, the “Loud Pipe Contest.” This will be for fun, with a “very unique” trophy being given out to the winner. This might be the one time you can make a lot of noise and not get a ticket.

Immediately following the Loud Pipe Contest, we will begin the “Burnout Contest,” down along side the Phillips 66 station. This is always a great crowd pleaser, plus we will award trophies and $100 cash to the top three burnout winners. Anyone can enter these events for only $10, which enters you in one, two or all three of these events, plus you will get a T-shirt. Of course, all events are free to the public, and are always great family fun.

So, mark your calendars for this annual, historic event, here in Fort Gibson: June 13 and 14. Anyone wishing to get involved, either as a helping partner, or as a financial sponsor, please contact me at the chamber, at 478-4780 or 577-2069.