March 26, 2008 11:17 pm
—
WARNER — Connors State College will recognize its 100th birthday on April 26, with a “Roots to Boots” celebration theme.
To kick off the day’s events, the Connors Alumni and Friends Association will be hosting their annual reunion and its Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies starting at 10 a.m. In addition, a full day of activities is being planned with an evening of music, entertainment and barbecue dinner concluding the day.
The feature musical venue will be the Red Dirt Rangers. According to Annette C. Eshleman, “Red Dirt as a musical genre grew out of the Stillwater music scene and has been rising in popularity since the early 1980s.”
Also included in the day-long celebration are craft shows, activities and demonstrations. The Oklahoma Antique Tractor Association Members of Chapter 116 will have on display more than 25 antique tractors, vehicles and farm implements. The Muskogee Quilter’s Guild will have quilts on display and will present demonstrations in the art of quilting.
Opening for the Red Dirt Rangers will be the bluegrass band, Spring Street, which was founded in 1990 by Mike Williams, Dan Nieto and Steve Carroll. Connors’ own Larry Todd plays bass guitar.
Other band members (all from northeastern Oklahoma) are Randy Ramsey, Nick Alberty, Allen Irvin and Halston Williams. Spring Street is noted for its inspirational music, strong four-part harmonies and instrumental prowess.
Runt’s Bar-B-Q of Muskogee will provide the evening meal.
The meal and entertainment will start at 4:30 p.m., at the indoor arena on the Connors campus. The cost is $15 in advance. A limited number of tickets available at the gate will be $18.
There are still several craft, exhibit, and demonstration booths available, according to Sue Floyd, director of the Connors State Foundation, one of the sponsors of the centennial celebration. Reservations: Call Floyd at the foundation office, 463-6343 or 463-6342.
Other sponsors of the celebration are the Oklahoma Arts Council, the community of Warner, Tru-Value Hardware-Warner, and the Muskogee Farmers’ Market.
Food concessions will be provided by the student club members.
For more information about Connors Centennial Celebration and the planned events, or for more information about Connors State and Connors Development Foundation, visit the college’s website at www.connorsstate.edu.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.