Festive Holiday Happenings on Grand Lake Celebrate the Season

Happy holidays!

The holidays have arrived on Grand Lake and everyone is celebrating. From Christmas parades and festivals to a fun run and holiday shows, there is something for everyone to do this season.

Following is a list of many of the holiday happenings taking place around Grand Lake. More will be added as they are announced.

Thanksgiving evening with Pine Lodge Resort kicks off the holiday season with its annual Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Tour.

Every evening from 5 to 10 p.m. from Thanksgiving night through New Year’s Day, Pine Lodge Resort will display more than 400,000 lights and twinkling displays across its grounds. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the free drive-through tour of this spectacular old-fashioned Christmas light display that is fun for the whole family.

Pine Lodge Resort is located at 33635 Dock Road, 2 1/2 miles east of Ketchum, off Highway 85, next to Arrowhead South Marina on Duck Creek. For more information, call (918) 782-1400.

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The 2018 Park of Lights of Grand Lake State Park - Twin Bridges will open Thursday, Nov. 22 and run through Sunday, Dec. 30. From 6 to 9 p.m. each night, the park will be transformed into an evening wonderland with bright lights and themed displays.

Hosted by Twin Bridges State Park and Twin Bridges Park Partners, the Park of Lights event is one of the largest displays of twinkling Christmas lights in the area. The dazzling drive-through experience features displays provided by businesses, churches, social groups, civic organizations and individuals.

The Park of Lights of Grand Lake State Park - Twin Bridges is a free event. Donations will be accepted at the park’s exit.

The park is located at 14801 South Highway 137, Fairland. For more information, call (918) 542-6969.

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All aboard! Chelsea’s Polar Express Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

Line up for the parade begins at 5 p.m. in the high school parking lot. Judging of the float contest entries begins at 5:30 p.m.

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Santa Claus is coming to Chelsea for “Christmas on Main”.

Santa will also be making other stops at Santa’s Shop from 5 to 7 p.m. every Saturday, December. You can take your own photo on these dates.

The Boys and Girls Club will be doing games on December 15.

Christmas on Main is sponsored by the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.

 

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The Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade will be Friday, Dec. 7, in Ketchum. Parade lineup is at 5:30 p.m. on the west end of Ketchum and, at 6:30 p.m., the parade will proceed down Highway 85 to the Ketchum High School.

Hosted by the South Grand Lake Airport and other sponsors, the annual Christmas parade will be followed by an awards ceremony at the Ketchum High School commons area.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top parade entries, including $700 to judges’ choice.

Big and little kids alike are invited to come enjoy candy, cookies and hot chocolate. Door prizes, including a big screen television, other televisions, bicycles and gift cards will also be given away. Tickets for the door prize drawings are $1 each.

For more information, call the Art Box at (918) 230-4034 or June Box at (918) 782-1400.

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Put on your finest holiday jogging attire and join in the 2018 Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run. Sponsored by Delaware County TSET and the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, the fun run will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 9, in downtown Grove.

The fun run begins south of the Community Center at 2 p.m. Medals will be presented for best times and plaques for best costumes.

Early registration is $25, and the deadline is November 27. A Jingle 5K Fun Run T-shirt is included with early registration. Late registration is $30 and will be taken until 1 - 1:30 p.m. on the day of the run.

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The Landing’s third annual Little Miss and Mr. Merry Christmas Contest for girls and boys will be Saturday, Dec. 8. Hosted by The Landing Fairland, the contest is open to any and all kids.

There are three age classes:  0-4 years, 5-8 years and 9-12 years. Winners will be whoever raises the most money. Every contestant will receive a prize. Each class winner will receive a trophy, crown and sash. The overall winner will receive a $100 savings bond, crown, sash and trophy.

Those interested can also ride on The Landing’s float in the Fairland Christmas Parade at noon on Saturday, Dec. 8.

For more information, call (918) 676-3228 or pick up registration forms at 502 West Conner, Fairland.

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They’ll be freezin’ for a reason at the Arrowhead Yacht Club on Saturday, Dec. 8, as people jump into Grand Lake for a good cause.

The 2018 Polar Bear Plunge is an annual partnership of Arrowhead Yacht Club and South Grand Lakers Helping Children, a local nonprofit, to help Grand Lake children in need. The event, which starts at 10 a.m. on December 15, helps provide food, clothing and toys during Christmas. They also provide financial assistance to families in need throughout the year.

Everyone is invited to bring a toy to build a mountain of toys for local children. There will also be a silent auction to bid on and 2018 Polar Bear Plunge T-shirts. So form a team and get ready to jump.

The Yacht Club will be open to the public for lunch during the event as well.

Arrowhead Yacht Club is located at 32894 South 4507 Road, in Afton, 3.5 miles northeast of Ketchum off Highway 85. For more information, call (918) 782-2628.

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The Jay Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Jay Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, Dec. 8. The theme is “Christmas Around the World”.

Lineup is at 1:30 p.m. on First Street near NAPA. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. and will include decorated vehicles and holiday-themed floats winding along Main Street through downtown Jay.

For more information, call (918) 253-8698.

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The Grove OK Downtown Revitalization, the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Shop Grove invite everyone to come celebrate Christmas and the holiday season in Grove and Grand Lake on Sunday, Dec. 9.

The Grove Gingerbread Christmas Festival will be held in downtown Grove. The fun starts with the Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run, which gets under way at 2 p.m.

The holiday fun continues at 4 p.m. on the Community Center lawn in front of City Hall, 104 W. 3rd St. with holiday music, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest and a drawing for $1,000 for one lucky Grove shopper at 5:45 p.m. Registration for the ugly Christmas sweater contest is at 5:30 p.m.

A Grove holiday tradition, the annual Lighted Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. in downtown Grove. One of the largest Christmas parades in the Grand Lake area, this holiday parade will feature more than 75 lighted floats, marching bands and a variety of organizations, all decked out for the Christmas season.

Entries will be judged on the best use of light and the best theme, which is “Christmas at the Lake.”

The parade will began at 6 p.m at the Grove Civic Center.

For more information on Grove’s Gingerbread Christmas Festival, call (918) 786-9079.

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A Christmas Marketplace, featuring collectibles, handmade gifts and goodies, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Sandusky Convention Center at River Bend Casino & Hotel.

A number of vendors will be on hand offering a wide variety of unique holiday gift options, including jewelry, clothing, baked goods and more.

River Bend Casino and Hotel is located at 100 Jackpot Place in Wyandotte.

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The Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees Christmas Land Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 8. The parade will start at 5 p.m. in Disney and travel across the Pensacola Dam into Langley.

The theme this year is “Light Up Grand”. There will be cash awards for first, second and third place for best float, as well as best high school marching band and best vehicle.

The parade will be followed by fireworks over the dam at dark.

Before the parade, the Disney community will be hosting a meet and greet with Santa Claus. The first 400 children in attendance will receive free gifts. Food and entertainment will be provided. There will also be a bounce house and games for kids.

For more information, contact Copperwood Lodge at (918) 435-5577 or Langley City Hall at (918) 782-9850.

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The holiday spirit takes to the water on Saturday, Dec. 15, for the 2018 Grand Lake Christmas Light Boat Parade and Dock Contest at the Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina on Grand Lake.

The annual parade has been expanded to include a Duck Creek Dock Decorating Contest as well. The intent is to turn Duck Creek into a Christmas-decorated winter water wonderland. Judging of the decorated docks in Duck Creek will take place on the evening of Friday, Dec. 7. Because this is the first year for the dock decorating contest, the entries will be divided between commercial and residential.

A popular annual event on Grand Lake that’s fun for the whole family, the festive lighted boat parade features decorated boats making their way through Duck Creek before parading to the Pensacola Dam and back along the shorelines of South Grand Lake to Duck Creek.

Boats in the parade will meet at the Cherokee courtesy docks at 3 p.m.

Prizes will be given away to first, second and third place in several categories.

Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina is located at 33152 Browning Lane, Afton. For more information, call (918) 782-4421.

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Eat, drink and be ugly with DJ Wade during the Ugly Sweater Party at Mooney’s Sunset Bar and Grill Saturday, Dec. 15.

Bring an unwrapped toy for the local toy drive and party hardy from 8 p.m. to midnight in the ugliest sweater you can find or make. The contest will be held at 10 p.m. There will be prizes awarded for the most creative sweaters.

Mooney’s Sunset Bar and Grill is located at 320 Lake Frost St., in Disney. For more information, call (918) 435-5200.

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Santa Claus is coming to FNB on Thursday, Dec. 13. From 1 to 6 p.m., children can have their picture taken with Santa in his sleigh at the Vinita First National Bank branch. Every child will also receive a toy.

The Vinita FNB branch is located at 102 West Illinois Ave.

 

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The Oklahoma State Bank is holding a Christmas Open House at all of its locations Friday, Dec. 14. Everyone is invited to stop in and join the festivities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be refreshments, finger foods, door prizes and more.

The Blue Notes Choir will be singing Christmas carols from 1-2 p.m. at the Vinita location, 120 W. Canadian Ave.

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Santa Claus is coming to Spavinaw Saturday, Dec. 15. Stop by Santa’s Workshop at the Spavinaw Community Center from 4 to 5 p.m., right before the Spavinaw Christmas Parade, to meet and have your picture taken with Santa.

Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. There will also be gifts from Santa.

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From 5:30 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, Christmas lights all around town will be turned on as part of Lighting Up Spavinaw. The lighting is part of an evening of holiday fun in Spavinaw.

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The Spavinaw Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 15. Lineup is at 5:30 p.m. by the fire station/old school building. The parade along Main Street begins at 6 p.m.

Parade entries are free. All ATVs, walkers, floats and animals are welcome.

For more information, contact Amanda Miller at (918) 864-7382.

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The Afton Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. Line up will start at the school with the parade traveling down Main Street.

Santa Claus will stop at the Afton Fire Barn so youngsters can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas Parade is hosted by the Afton Area Chamber of Commerce.

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The Salina Christmas parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15. The parade begins at 6 p.m.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Spavinaw American Legion Post 192 Saturday, Dec. 15. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., they will be passing out gifts and stockings to the children of Spavinaw.

The American Legion Post 192 is located at 124 Main St., Spavinaw.

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It wouldn’t be the holiday season without an awesome Christmas party. So pull on your ugliest Christmas sweater or dress up like your favorite holiday character and head on over to the All Things Christmas Costume Party at the Monkey Island Pub on Saturday, Dec. 15. Even the staff will be in costume at the party.

From 9 p.m. to midnight, Monkey Island Pub will be celebrating the season with a night of holiday cheer, good friends, great drinks and, maybe, some holiday mischief.

Monkey Island Pub is located at 55950 East 290 Road, on Monkey Island. For more information, call The Pub at (918) 257-8791.

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If you’re looking for a truly sweet treat, the Miami Animal Alliance invites everyone to join them for their third annual Christmas Cookie Walk on Sunday, Dec. 16.

The Christmas Cookie Walk is a fundraiser for the Miami Animal Alliance, which is a no-kill rescue, foster program that offers transport services and low-cost spay and neuter service. Shoppers walk through the goodies aisles and fill their cookie box to the brim with an assortment of homemade cookies. Other edible treats and gifts will be available as well. The cost is $6 per pound.

The Christmas Cookie Walk will be held in the Oklahoma State Bank Hospitality Room from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The bank is located at 120 W. Canadian Ave., in Vinita.

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Join Mooney’s Sunset Bar and Grill on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the biggest night of the year with dinner, dancing and delicious cocktails served by the best mixologist on Grand Lake.

From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday, Dec. 31, Mooney’s will be celebrating a New Year’s Eve you’ll never forget. The  Barrett Lewis Band will be rocking the house all night long.

You must be 21 or older to join the fun. Mooney’s reminds everyone to drink responsibly. Lodging is also available with room rates starting at $75.

Mooney’s Sunset Bar and Grill is located at 320 Lake Frost St., in Disney. For more information, call (918) 435-5200.

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Monkey Island Pub invites you to ring in 2019 with Great Gatsby style at its New Year’s Eve ’20s Costume Party. From 9 p.m. to midnight, Monday, Dec. 31, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars and more will be partying in the new year.

Come dressed in costume or come as you are. It’s going to be fun, no matter how you dress. Just bring yourself and the folks at Monkey Island Pub will take care of the rest.

Monkey Island Pub is located at 55950 East 290 Road, on Monkey Island. For more information, call The Pub at (918) 257-8791.

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Rock your way into the new year at River Bend Casino and Hotel this New Year’s Eve as hard rock band Paralandra presents a free show inside Club 60 West.

Paralandra takes the stage at 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, for a show that will have you rockin’. Space is limited for the free event and you must be 18 years of age or older to attend.

Paralandra’s high-energy show isn’t the only hot ticket at River Bend Casino and Hotel. The casino’s New Year’s Eve 2019: Cheers to a New Year of Winning promotion* concludes with a grand prize drawing for $10,000 New Year’s Eve.

From December 1-31, earn a virtual drawing entry for 50 slot points for your chance to end the year with a stash of cash. At 11:05 p.m., six lucky players will be drawn to compete for the $10,000 cash grand prize.

But that’s not the only way to earn at River Bend Casino and Hotel  on New Year’s Eve. From 6-11 p.m., score $200 cash with Hot Seat drawings every 20 minutes. And, from 9-11 p.m., enjoy $5 Free Play on the casino.

Ring in the new year with party favors at midnight and then continue the fun with a $5 promo play from 12:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.

*Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. One Free Play and Promo Play offer per guest. Free Play drawing prizes will expire after 48 hours. Grand prize winner will be responsible for all associated taxes. The ability to earn entries will end at 6 p.m. on December 31, 2018. Space and supplies are limited on a first-come, first-served basis. See Club Wyandotte for official rules. Other rules and restrictions apply.