Rooster Day in Broken Arrow

Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the annual Rooster Day Parade. This was exciting 1st because I had never been before and 2nd because my nephew was marching in the drum-line for his school (which he also made Pride as a freshman for next year!!!).

Okay so back to Rooster Day- Rooster Day is the oldest festival in Oklahoma and was started in the 1930's. Farmers could bring their excess roosters down on this one day and get paid to, well, dump them. Eggs were a main source of income and therefore too many roosters meant fertilized eggs, which meant eggs not for sell or trade. So, on this special day each year a "festival" would be held and competitions such as loudest, fattest, prettiest, ect. would be picked out and then the rest.... disposed of.

Each year something different was added to draw more people and today it is a huge festival that people come from all over to see! It was defiantly worth the trip and I hope to make it back next year for more of the festivities!








It is a great Broken Arrow tradition that was enjoyable to attend. While I just attended the parade, the festival lasts three days with all kinds of booths and activities for people of all ages.

Thunder In The Valley

Thunder In The Valley is an annual Bull Riding contest at the end of Brickfest each year that is hosted by the Pauls Valley Rotary. Of course there is nothing like a rodeo anyways, but Bull Riding is even better! My Canadian friend Andrea came down for Brickfest and was looking forward to the bull riding and she wasn't let down! It was an eventful evening that started at 5 pm with Muttin Bustin, kids riding sheep! We went on out to watch the kiddos give it a go, and it was totally worth it! It only took an hour for all 40 kids to give it a go, so we had an hour and enjoyed the weather while we waited. We started a few minutes past 7 and and had 3 hours full of entertainment!

Pauls Valley is exit 72 off I35. To reach the rodeo arena and fair grounds head east from the highway through down and follow the signs to the park. The arena is located behind the baseball fields at the back of the park or far north end.

Byars

Byars is a little dot in the road town with a population around 280- the entire town is only a mile and half long so don't go to fast or you'll pass it all together! I found this place a few years ago when I was out driving around with my friend Lisa. It is a really neat old one way bridge that has some amazing architecture and view!









Byars can be reached by taking highway 59 off I35. To reach the bridge take exit 86 from I35 towards Wayne. Go about 19 Miles East on 59 through Rosedale and you will come into Byars. There will be a line of old buildings (pictured above) and you will turn left (north) and follow this road. It will make 2 hard turns, first to the right then to the left, keep following the main road and you will drive right onto the bridge! Be sure to look ahead and make sure no one is coming! There are places on each side to pull over and park if you want to walk out on the bridge, it is also a great 4-wheeling spot if you like that! Just watching the river there were lots of big fish that kept surfacing just under the bridge if you enjoy river fishing too!

Enjoy Byars! Just another one of Oklahoma's little secrets!

Pauls Valley Brickfest

Pauls Valley hosted their annual Brickfest this weekend. It is always held on the first weekend in May. All kinds of activities for the entire family including face painting, hot wheels double dog dare derby, pie eating contest, music, old fashion and all kinds of booths and food! Thunder in the Valley brings Brickfest to an end but that will be a separate post!








Pauls Valley offers a variety of activities for the family- the old fashion train depot is great for kids to explore and parents can enjoy the historical museum. The Action Figure Museum just a block away is great for kids of all ages!