You don't need us to tell you that Oklahoma history is wild, wild, wild. Whether we're talking about Belle Starr and her still-unsolved murder, Bass Reeves hunting down his own son, or just the sheer Bill Tilghman of it all, there are a lot of Big American Personalities in our state's history books. And one of the more interesting figures in Oklahoma history is Stand Watie, the Confederate Brigadier General and Cherokee chief who made the Confederacy's final surrender at Fort Towson in southeastern Oklahoma. This Thursday, March 6, head down to the Fort Towson Historic Site for Living History Education Day, a free event that will feature an array of learning experiences to show visitors what life was like here during the 1840s, when the fort was a vital supply outpost for soldiers headed south to fight the Mexican-American War. There'll be historic reenactors, demonstrations of tools and games from that time period, and even drills specific to the fort's history. It'll be so much fun, you won't even realize how much you're learning.
Thursday, March 6. Admission, free. okhistory.org

A historic reenactor at Fort Towson Living History Education Day. Photo by Lori Duckworth

If we're in Tulsa, you'd better believe we're spending some time in the Tulsa Arts District. Whether it's a stroll through the Guthrie and Dylan centers, a nice chillax on the grass at Guthrie Green, or Sunday brunch at The Tavern, we can't get enough of this incredibly cool part of an incredibly cool city. And one of the best times to explore the Arts District is coming up this Friday, March 7: First Friday Art Crawl, which has happened the first Friday of every month since 2007, sees visitors roaming into galleries, shopping, listening to live music, stopping for a bite, and generally just enjoying the heck out of life. There may even be fireworks!
Friday, March 7. Admission, free. thetulsaartsdistrict.org

First Friday Art Crawl in the Tulsa Arts District. Photo: AC Gallery on First Friday. Courtesy of Valerie Wei-Haas/Tulsa Regional Tourism

Okay, so the Oscars are over. And how about that opening number with Ariana and Cynthia? Anyway, now that that minor bit of statue-giving is over, let us turn our attention to the crown jewel of awards shows: the Woodward Main Street Awards, presented at the annual Woodward Main Street Annual Banquet. All kidding aside, we always look forward to visiting this Red Carpet Country town, and given how many good places there are to eat up there (check the writeup about Al's Steakhouse in our January/February issue), we just know the food is going to be on point. In addition to the awards and a bunch of very well-dressed Woodwardites, there'll be a gun raffle, a silent auction, music from the Woodward High jazz band, appetizers and dinner, and post-awards dancing. Sounds like a good time to us.
Friday, March 7. Individual tickets, $25; table of eight, $175. woodwardmainstreet.com (scroll down for ticket orders)

As part of every year's Woodward Elks Rodeo, cowboys drive longhorn cattle through downtown Woodward. Support Woodward Main Street at this year's Annual Banquet March 7. Photo by Lori Duckworth

Do you own a plane? That's weird—do you know that's weird? But weird in the best and coolest way. Congratulations! You OWN A PLANE! And if you're looking for something to do with the plane that you own—especially if you're a fan of Oklahoma State University and its Cowboys and Cowgirls athletic squadrons—we highly recommend you get in your plane and fly to Stillwater from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 for the OSU Flying Aggies Fly-In at Stillwater Regional Airport. You can fly in or use your plane for one of the event's static displays (RSVPs required for pilots either way). Okay, and by now, all our non-plane-owning friends are feeling left out, but for them, I have good news: Non-pilots and members of the community are welcome at this event as well, where they'll see aviation displays spanning more than a century, plus local and national vendors, food trucks, and even the chance to take an airplane ride of your own. Who knows? Maybe you'll get the itch to buy one of your very own, and come this time next year, you won't arrive in a RAV4. But you will have to RSVP.
March 8. Admission, free. flyingaggies.com

The OSU Flying Aggies Fly-In at Stillwater Regional Airport. Photo by Lori Duckworth

It's arrived: Early March, when we're all contemplating a few things, unsure if we will accomplish them now that the warm weather is calling our New Year's Resolutions bluff. Will we run that half marathon? Get that Instagram-ready beach bod together by summer? Actually start that garden we always yearn for? If the answer to that last question is a resounding Yes, you're going to want to get to Oklahoma City's Myriad Botanical Gardens Saturday, March 8 for Oklahoma Gardening School. This horticultural symposium will make a green thumb of us all yet, with gardening experts from around the state and nation giving illustrated talks and Q&As. And after a day of chlorophyll-fueled inspiration, attendees are invited on a tour of the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory's Orchid Ikebana show.
March 8. Tickets: $45 for members, $75 for nonmembers, and $25 for students. myriadgardens.org

Oklahoma Gardening School at Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City Photo by Carl Shortt Jr

Written By

Nathan Gunter

A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Weatherford native, and Westmoore High School graduate, Nathan Gunter is the magazine's editor-in-chief. When he's not editor-in-chiefing, Nate enjoys live music, running, working out, gaming, cooking, and random road trips with no particular destination in mind. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Oklahoma. He learned how to perform poetry from Maya Angelou; how to appreciate Italian art from Terisio Pignatti; comedy writing from Doug Marlette; how to make coconut cream pie from his great-grandma; and how not to approach farm dogs from trial and error. A seminary dropout, he lives just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City.