7th Annual Bethany 66 Festival

Every year the Bethany 66 Festival events expand and the crowd grows in size. Festival attendees will see a car, truck and motorcycle show, costumed children participating in a parade, a pet parade, over 50 booths, food trucks, and sales by downtown Bethany merchants and specials from restaurant owners.

On Saturday, May 27, Bethany 66 Festival events will the downtown, historic Route 66 town of Bethany. Festival events are in held in a one block area from 38th Street north to 39th Expressway, between Peniel and Asbury from 10 am to 4 pm.

The car, motorcycle and truck show was recently described as ‘a great show,’ by a participant of several years. All awards are selected by vehicle owners’ votes at the show.  The motorcycle show is sponsored by Papa’s Leather Barn.

Kids of all ages dress as action or super heroes and princesses for the parade. A pet parade will be a new feature this year. To ensure safety, the walking parade route is on sidewalks and blocked streets. The children’s parade begins at 11 am.  People walking leashed pets will follow the children at 11:05 am. Both parades begin at 39th Expressway and College Avenue. Adults should accompany children under age 10 and no adult can be responsible for more than five children under age 10. Everyone can clap and cheer for the children, or join the parade.

Pets in the parade must be on a leash and be people-friendly. Pets should be able to tolerate crowds and strangers. Those walking pets should bring something to collect waste. Parade organizers will have trash receptacles.

A full day of entertainment is planned in an open-air tent near the food trucks.  The first act is Larry Whaley from 10-10:45 am. Positive responses from past Festival attendees guarantee that Bethany resident and Grammy-nominated singer Sherman Andrus will be back to sing from 11-11:45 am.

At 11:55, the ROTC Color Guard from Putnam City West HS will present the colors. Active duty and retired members and families of the US military will be honored in a Memorial Day message by Major General Rita Aragon [Ret.]. She currently serves as Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  Aragon is the first female commander in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and the first female Brigadier General in the US Air National Guard.

Crowd favorite Edgar Cruz, a classical guitar player will entertain from 12:30-1:15 pm; Kent Fauss performs at 1:30-2:15 pm. and Guitars Gone Wild will play from 2:30-3:15 pm. Casey and Minna, strolling musicians, will play throughout the Festival and with the children’s parade.

Sponsors of the Bethany 66 Festival include TS Heat and Air, Bethany First National Bank and Trust, Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, Bethany Law Center, Apple Tree Antique Gallery, Eden Emporium Antique Store, Edward Jones, Six Business Services and Treece & Rhines.

The seventh annual Bethany 66 Festival is organized by Bethany Improvement Foundation volunteers. The mission of Bethany Improvement Foundation is “to benefit the citizens of Bethany, Oklahoma through charitable community projects.”

Entertainment Schedule

10-10:45 am                               Larry Whaley

11-11:45 am                               Sherman Andrus

11:55 am – 12:20 pm              Putnam City West HS ROTC; Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon [Ret.]

12:30-1:15 pm                           Edgar Cruz

1:30-2:15 pm                              Kent Fauss

2:30-3:15 pm                              Guitars Gone Wild

Strolling all day                          Casey and Minna