Crowds Celebrate McLoud’s Anniversary and Blackberry Festival

Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

  • A covered wagon and a carriage from Crossroads Cowboy Church in Harrah make their way east on Broadway Ave. during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21. There were 75-80 entries in the parade, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    A covered wagon and a carriage from Crossroads Cowboy Church in Harrah make their way east on Broadway Ave. during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21. There were 75-80 entries in the parade, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • A girl rides on the carousel at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. Relocated to the southern half of the McLoud Veteran Park, all of the carnival rides and vendors had to be arranged on higher ground due to muddy conditions. In this area, Pottawatomie County workers provided and applied gravel, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    A girl rides on the carousel at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. Relocated to the southern half of the McLoud Veteran Park, all of the carnival rides and vendors had to be arranged on higher ground due to muddy conditions. In this area, Pottawatomie County workers provided and applied gravel, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • Makayla Combs of Ohio adds rock salt to the ice in an ice-cream maker which is run by a 1939 John Deere hit-and-miss engine at Poppin' Johnny's Ice Cream during the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. The machine is owned by Jonathan Hilbun of McLoud and can produce five gallons of ice cream per barrel. Also shown watching are brothers Benjamin and Stephen Tiller of Mustang. There were 80 vendors at the festival this year, plus those with the carnival company, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber.
    Makayla Combs of Ohio adds rock salt to the ice in an ice-cream maker which is run by a 1939 John Deere hit-and-miss engine at Poppin' Johnny's Ice Cream during the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. The machine is owned by Jonathan Hilbun of McLoud and can produce five gallons of ice cream per barrel. Also shown watching are brothers Benjamin and Stephen Tiller of Mustang. There were 80 vendors at the festival this year, plus those with the carnival company, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber.
  • A long line of Jeeps carrying McLoud Blackberry Festival pageant contestants, led by Charlotte Reith, head east on Broadway Ave. during the festival parade on June 21. There were 75-80 entries in the parade, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    A long line of Jeeps carrying McLoud Blackberry Festival pageant contestants, led by Charlotte Reith, head east on Broadway Ave. during the festival parade on June 21. There were 75-80 entries in the parade, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • Two boys enjoy riding on the carousel at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. Relocated to the southern half of the McLoud Veteran Park, all of the carnival rides and vendors had to be arranged on the higher ground due to muddy conditions. In this area, Pottawatomie County workers provided and applied gravel, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    Two boys enjoy riding on the carousel at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. Relocated to the southern half of the McLoud Veteran Park, all of the carnival rides and vendors had to be arranged on the higher ground due to muddy conditions. In this area, Pottawatomie County workers provided and applied gravel, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • The McLoud Chamber of Commerce pavilion was a popular location during the Blackberry Festival on June 21. They sold just under 3,000 quarts of fresh blackberries and 2,500 jars of blackberry jam, said Melanie Krause with the Chamber.
    The McLoud Chamber of Commerce pavilion was a popular location during the Blackberry Festival on June 21. They sold just under 3,000 quarts of fresh blackberries and 2,500 jars of blackberry jam, said Melanie Krause with the Chamber.
  • The McKedys, including Sienna Rose, Byron McKedy, Mackynsie McKedy, Austin McKedy and Jason Baird, perform at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. The temporary stage they played on was rented, but there is a smaller permanent stage in the southern half of McLoud's Veterans Park where the festival was held this year, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    The McKedys, including Sienna Rose, Byron McKedy, Mackynsie McKedy, Austin McKedy and Jason Baird, perform at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on June 21. The temporary stage they played on was rented, but there is a smaller permanent stage in the southern half of McLoud's Veterans Park where the festival was held this year, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • The McLoud BancFirst float - with Michael and Stephanie Bickel, Hailey Broga, Gemini Eason and Anna Billins - participates in the Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21. There were 75-80 entries in the parade, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    The McLoud BancFirst float - with Michael and Stephanie Bickel, Hailey Broga, Gemini Eason and Anna Billins - participates in the Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21. There were 75-80 entries in the parade, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • A barrel train full of kids and stuffed toys was the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade entry for American Auction Service on June 21.
    A barrel train full of kids and stuffed toys was the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade entry for American Auction Service on June 21.
  • The India Shrine Old Wheels Unit, led by Rick Brown in a 1948 Ford, rolls east on Broadway Ave. in the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21. They won second out of the 75-80 entries, behind McLoud First Baptist Church in first, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
    The India Shrine Old Wheels Unit, led by Rick Brown in a 1948 Ford, rolls east on Broadway Ave. in the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21. They won second out of the 75-80 entries, behind McLoud First Baptist Church in first, said Melanie Krause with the McLoud Chamber of Commerce.
  • State Senator Darrell Weaver, who is running for Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor, hands out flags during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21.
    State Senator Darrell Weaver, who is running for Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor, hands out flags during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21.
  • Blackberry Festival vendors and carnival
    Blackberry Festival vendors and carnival
  • Blackberry Festival vendors
    Blackberry Festival vendors
  • Girls with MKB Fireworks throw candy in the parade.
    Girls with MKB Fireworks throw candy in the parade.
  • Tyler Nguyen of Barbells & BBQ serves a whole blackberry cobbler and a slice.
    Tyler Nguyen of Barbells & BBQ serves a whole blackberry cobbler and a slice.
  • Children enjoy the carousel.
    Children enjoy the carousel.
  • The Chick-Fil-A Cow roller skates in the parade.
    The Chick-Fil-A Cow roller skates in the parade.
  • Ms. Senior OK Kristy Fancher received third place in the parade.
    Ms. Senior OK Kristy Fancher received third place in the parade.
  • Tyler Nguyen & Kyrie Soto with Barbells & BBQ sell blackberry cobbler.
    Tyler Nguyen & Kyrie Soto with Barbells & BBQ sell blackberry cobbler.
  • The Chick-Fil-A Cow gives a high five.
    The Chick-Fil-A Cow gives a high five.
  • Watching the McKedys under a shade tree.
    Watching the McKedys under a shade tree.
    On June 20-21, McLoud celebrated its 130th anniversary and the estimated 83rd anniversary of the McLoud Blackberry Festival, said Melanie Krause, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce.This year, the parade route stayed the same through downtown Mc-Loud, but the rest of the festival was moved to the southern half of Veterans Park. Due to heavy rains and mud, the carnival rides and...

    To access content, please login.