It’s time to start making plans and inviting friends and relatives to spend the day enjoying the many attractions that will be available during the Seminole “Made In Oklahoma Festival” on Saturday, April 1. This event is sponsored by the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. It will feature a huge number of vendors selling crafts, food, and many other interesting items that are Oklahoma grown or Oklahoma made. Other events include a corn hole tournament, blood drive, and much more.

This year the Seminole Arts Council will be sponsoring a “Shining A Light On Autism” Auto Show. The vehicles entered in this show will fill the 100 block on North Main Street.

Seminole Arts Council President Jacqi Dill states that April is National Autism Awareness Month. To help support young individuals that are living with autism, the Arts Council established the Seminole Special Education Fund in 2022.

“Last year we had a little block party with speakers who shared personal experiences with autism, games, music, etc.,” Dill explains. “This year we had an opportunity to collaborate with the Chamber, and we hope we can continue this collaboration for as long as possible.”

Last year the Arts Council’s block party raised over $3,000 that goes directly to special education classrooms in Seminole County. This year they hope to raise even more than that.

Those that wish to support this worthy cause can make a donation to the “Seminole Arts Council Special Education Fund” at any BancFirst location or by visiting the givebutter. com/Specialeducationfund website.

President Dill states there are 29 different classes to register in, and each vehicle can compete in up to two classes for an additional registration fee. There will be a trophy, sponsored by BancFirst for each category, which includes cars, trucks, specialty, and bike by years (Pre 1945; 1945 -59; 60-79; etc.) in both original and modified. There will also be prizes for: Best of Show; Best Paint; Best Interior; and People’s Choice.

In addition, door prizes for those that enter the auto show will be given away every half-hour. These prizes will include concert tickets and family passes to Arbuckle Wilderness.

Registration forms can be found on the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, Seminole Arts Council Facebook page, or a paper or digital version as available by emailing seminoleartscouncil@ gmail. com. Registration will also be available at the Auto Show at 8:00 a.m. April 1.

Also helping to raise autism awareness during the Made In Oklahoma Festival, Joey Perry will be signing copies of his book, “I Have A Reason; An Autistic Perspective on Bullying,” at the Seminole Public Library, located at the corner of Main and Seminole. For more information about Joey, see page 7 of today’s Producer.