Oklahoma events come out on top

The American Bus Association (ABA) recently announced that two Oklahoma events have been named to the Top 100 Events list for 2008. The Standing Bear Pow Wow in Ponca City and the Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum were both recognized as outstanding events in North America.

The list, now in its 26th year, is a guide for professional travel planners and the general public that highlights the top fairs, festivals, parades, exhibits and shows across the United States and Canada.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from ABA – one of the most prestigious tourism organizations in North America,” said Hardy Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. “Communities and attractions throughout Oklahoma continue to host world-class events that are being noticed within the tourism industry and around the globe.”

The Standing Bear Pow Wow was one of the Oklahoma events named to the Top 100 list for 2008. It’s scheduled for Sept. 26-27, 2008 in Ponca City. This event is held at Standing Bear Native American Memorial Park and hosted by all six area tribes (Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa), incorporating input and traditions from all of them.

Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition was the second event named to this prestigious list. Scheduled to run from June 13 – Sept. 7, 2008 in Oklahoma City, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum hosts this event which showcases more than 300 works of art by more than 100 of the country's finest contemporary Western artists through this festival.

“Both events attract visitors from around the world and showcase our state’s rich heritage and culture,” said Watkins.

The top motorcoach and group travel companies consult the ABA Top 100 list when planning where they will book travel in the upcoming year and beyond. In addition, consumers also use the ABA recommendations to plan leisure trips throughout the year. Now Oklahoma has two events on this influential list.

ABA selects the top event and top 100 events from among hundreds of events nominated by state and provincial tourism officials and convention and visitors bureaus across North America. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department nominated the two events for the 2008 list after successfully securing the top spot in 2007. The Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration was recognized as the Top Event in the U.S. for 2007.

For further information visit:

Nationalcowboymuseum.org/e_prix_07winn.html or Poncacity.com/attractions/standing_bear_statue.htm