McALESTER — Hundreds of people attended Saturday’s Wild West Festival in in the Old Town District of North Town, McAlester.
The sky was cloudy but the weather was warm and with real western gun slingers, food, music and entertainment, there was something for everyone.
Hazel Lott of McAlester said she was having a good time.
“This is the best one yet,” Lott said.
The Wild West Festival kicked off with a Skittles Buckaroo run, a short run for the younger crowd, organized by Jerry Lynn Wilson and Kathy Wall of the City of McAlester.
Next was McAlester’s first Wild Color Stampede 5-K. The stampede was a big hit with the hundreds of runners who participated in event, according to Pam Kirby an organizer of the run. She said proceeds from the entrance fee paid by the runners will be donated to several local charities.
McAlester’s Zella Kincaid and Ryan Pratter were the first two runners over the finish line at Ike Hutchison Park.
“We had about 247 runners, it was lots of fun,” Kirby said.
The McAlester Fire Department and the Pittsburg County Sheriffs Department were also at the event.
“We want to thank the sheriff and the McAlester Fire Department for their help,” Kirby said.
The McAlester Fire Department’s new Fire Safety Trailer and the city’s oldest fire truck were brought out for display during the festival.
Eddie Gray president of the Old Town Association, sponsored several events. He said he’s been working with several volunteers to plan the event for a year and he said he was happy with the turnout.
“I had someone pull me aside and tell me this was the best festival yet,” Gray said.
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Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.
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