Will Rogers Memorial Celebrates 75 Years
The Event, the first major fund-raiser for the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation, has evolved into a two-day celebration of the Life of Will Rogers and the 75th Diamond Jubilee of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Founders and early pioneers of the Memorial will be recognized.
The Cherokee Nation is the presenting sponsor of The Event.
Well-known Oklahomans who have had a role in the success of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, which opened Nov. 4, 1938, will highlight the program.
Opening night will be Thursday, Sept. 19, on the grounds of the Memorial Museum. The Friday night celebration will be at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa.
Former Oklahoma Governors George Nigh and Frank Keating are honorary co-chairs. Linda Bradshaw of Tulsa, a docent at the Memorial Museum and a member of the Foundation Board, is chair of the festivities.
Keynoting the museum gala will be former Judge Robert Henry, who also headlined in 2008 the 70th anniversary of the museum’s opening and Will Rogers’ 129th birthday.
Jim Hartz, retired television personality and longtime chair of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, will be master of ceremonies.
Headliners for the Cain’s festivities are Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings and The Red Dirt Rangers.
“All proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation and programs supporting the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, and the legacy of Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” Bradshaw says. “Our goal is to build private support locally, regionally and nationally to enhance museum programming and provide capital improvements.”
Dress is elegantly casual with parking available off site with shuttle rides to the museum.
Entertainment for the night at the museum will include The Tulsa Playboys, World Champion Trick Roper titlists Kowboy Kal Cook of Apache, Okla., and Doug Smith from Medway, Ohio, and Will Rogers Memorial Museum’s Andy Hogan, a Will Rogers interpreter and Museum historical guide.
Sponsorship opportunities as well as individual tickets are available now by calling 800-342-9455 or online at: www.the-event.us.com.
Dr. Richard Mosier, former president of Rogers State University, serves as president of the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation. Phil Albert, of Pelco Structural, Claremore, is vice president.
Other members of the Foundation board include Will Rogers Memorial Commission members Hartz, Alexandria, Va.; Steve Turnbo, Tulsa; and Will Rogers’ grandson, Kem Rogers, Bakersfield, Calif.
Other Claremore members are Chad Choat and Jack Spinks. Tulsans are Cheryl Cohenour, Jim Halsey, Jody McIntyre, Ken Neal, Deacon Turner, Beth Bovaird, and Janet Youngblood. Carl Milam, Oklahoma City, great-great nephew of Will Rogers, is also a member of the board.
Updated 08-30-2013
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