Fun for All at Black Gold Days

Glenpool’s 31st annual Black Gold Days festival, celebrating the discovery of oil there over 100 years ago, is coming June 18-20.

Glenpool’s 31st annual Black Gold Days festival, celebrating the discovery of oil there over 100 years ago, is coming June 18-20. “This is a fun, family-oriented event that allows us to promote the town of Glenpool and its history,” says Carol Campbell, executive director of the Glenpool Chamber of Commerce.

The Black Gold Days festival, which began in 1978, commemorates the discovery of oil in the area in 1905. Wildcatters Robert Galbreath and Frank Chesley drilled on farmland owned by Ida Glenn and created Oklahoma’s first oil gusher. This came to be known as “The Glenn Pool,” and led to considerable growth for the area. The discovery put Oklahoma on the oil production map and helped Tulsa become known as “The Oil Capital of the World.”

Black Gold Days is one of Glenpool’s most popular events. “We have thousands of people come out, not just from Oklahoma, but from Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas,” says Campbell. “We’re growing every year.”

Throughout Black Gold Days, a plethora of food vendors, commercial vendors, and arts and crafts booths will be available for your perusal. And Pride Amusement’s carnival promises to be magnificent. Additionally, there will be more music and special events than you can shake a stick at. “Our sponsors are great,” says Campbell. “They have allowed us to offer all our events and concerts for free.”

Black Gold Days opens Thursday evening with a flag-raising ceremony at Black Gold Park at 5 p.m. In the past, this ceremony was handled by the VFW; this year it will be taken care of by the Boy Scouts. After the flag-raising, there will be performances by several gospel groups, including America/Oklahoma Kids, the Ellis Family, the Master’s Voice, and OK Xpress. Friday features a performance by country band Wade Quinton and Outlaw Son from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities begin at 7 a.m. with the Glenpool Lions Club’s pancake breakfast. The Black Gold Days parade winds its way through Glenpool beginning at 11 a.m. at Glenpool High School. The carnival resumes at noon. For the kids’ entertainment is the frog jump and turtle race at 1 p.m., sponsored by Edison Electric. Cash prizes will be awarded, but bring your own critter – one will not be provided for you. Saturday is a full day of music. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. an assortment of groups will perform, including Faith Church’s praise and worship team. At 5 p.m. is the bluegrass and clogger concert. That will take you all the way up to the fireworks display at 10 p.m.

“Black Gold Days is a wonderful event. It gives people a chance to get together and have a good time,” says Campbell. The festival takes place Thursday, June 18 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, June 19 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, June 20 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information on this and other Glenpool area events, give the Glenpool Chamber of Commerce a call or visit  www.glenpoolchamber.org. 

For more information, contact

Glenpool Chamber of Commerce

(918) 322-3505

www.glenpoolchamber.org