The highly anticipated return of the Made In Oklahoma Festival is fast approaching, and organizers are working hard to make certain that this year’s event meets everyone’s expectations.

This annual event is hosted by the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, with the accompanying Car Show portion sponsored by the Seminole Arts Council. The Festival will once again be taking place on the traditional first Saturday of April, (April 5, beginning at 10 a.m.) There will be some changes made due to some unusual circumstances, but there will still be an almost overwhelming amount of fun for the entire family to enjoy.

“This year’s Made in Oklahoma Festival will be unique due to the amazing improvements being made in the Downtown District, which currently are new water lines, sidewalks, and soon new overlay,” explains Amy Britt, Executive Director of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. “The City of Seminole and their department heads have been very good to communicate potential changes and options for this, the largest community event in Seminole each year.”

Instead of rescheduling the event, which is normally held on Main Street, the location will instead be slightly altered due to the construction. Britt explains that many of the Downtown District businesses are struggling to get customers to venture through the construction and shop or eat at their locations. Over the years, those same businesses have told the Chamber that the first Saturday in April is their biggest sales day and they want that to continue with the change in location.

This year, the event will be held on Broadway (old Highway 270) between Milt Phillips Blvd. and 4th Street, running east and west. The Seminole Arts Council Car Show will still be held on Main Street south of Broadway as usual. “We will still have unique vendors, amazing and delicious food vendors, wineries, a blood drive, MIO T-shirts, pet adoptions, and we will continually pray for a “Chamber of Commerce” weather day starting on Friday evening through the event on Saturday evening,” Britt states. “If anyone would like to volunteer, we NEED lots of help setting up Friday evening and all day Saturday,” she adds. Volunteers are encouraged to call 405-382-3640 or email Britt at amybrittchambered@ yahoo.com. “We hope to see everyone out on Broadway Sat. April 5 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.”

Entries for the Made In Oklahoma Car Show, sponsored by the Seminole Arts Council, can be picked up at the Art Center, 300 E. Broadway, downloaded at the seminoleartscouncil. org website or you can register on the day of the car show beginning at 8 a.m. For more information call (405) 303-1191 or email seminoleartscouncil@ gmail. com.

There are a wide variety of classes to enter, including vehicles by decades and types (cars, trucks, jeep, race car, etc.). There will also be special awards such as Best of Show, Best Paint, Mayor’s Choice, People’s Choice, and many more.

The Arts Council is also hosting a coloring contest for the younger family members. Coloring sheets are available at the Art Center, and must be returned by April 3. The winner of a Big Basket of Goodies will be announced at the Car Show.

Everyone is encouraged to invite friends and family from far and wide to enjoy one of Seminole’s largest events, while also supporting the many entrepreneurs and businesses that make Oklahoma such a wonderful place to live.