The seventh annual Magnolia festival kicks off Friday in Durant with everything from a quilt show and the Choctaw Nation Princess Pageant in the afternoon to a balloon glow and music that night. Along with those events, vendors are arriving from all over Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana to show off their craftwork at this southern Oklahoma festival. Approximately 132 vendors are expected, the most ever for the Magnolia Festival.
The first scheduled event is the opening of the Quilt Celebration at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning at the VPAC. Beginning at noon, all the vendors will open their booths. The Antique Sales Tent is also opening up at noon at its location at 3rd and Main. At 5:00 p.m. the crowd will move to the Courthouse Gazebo for the Choctaw Nation Princess Pageant and at 6:00 p.m. the Opening Ceremonies will be performed at the Main Stage. The naming of the Belle and Beau and an introduction of the Red Coat Ambassadors will follow.
As the sun slowly fades at 7:00 p.m., the Choctaw Fancy Dancers take over the Main Stage to entertain their audience.
The crowd can stay right where they are at 7:30, because the KLBC/KSEO Coalgate Country Showdown will follow the Choctaw Fancy Dancers on the Main Stage.
Photographers will love the balloon glow at Eaker Field, beginning at 8:30 p.m. The balloon crews with tether and then inflate each balloon, and the glowing images are breathtaking. This is the highlight for many festivals, because if the weather isn't suitable, the balloons can't actually lift off the next morning. So, bring the kids and bring plenty of film and everyone will enjoy the balloon glow.
At 9:30 p.m. On Friday, it will be time for musical entertainment. Haag Circus will churn out the jams at the Main Stage.
SATURDAY
A Kiwanis Breakfast from 6:00-10:00 a.m. At Eaker Field starts off the events for Saturday and this is also the place to be at 7:00 a.m. For the start of the balloon races.
The Art Show opens in the Massey Building (SW corner of Main and 2nd) at 9:00 a.m. All vendors and the Antique Sales Tent will also open at that time.
Children's activities will run from 9:00-5:00 p.m. on 3rd Street between Beech and Evergreen. There will also be a sidewalk sale and entertainment at Courtney Plaza located at 305 W. Main. Before the end of Saturday's fun, festival goers will be treated to an antique tractor show, a turtle race, a pie-eating contest and the Miss Magnolia Pageant. The balloon competition will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Main Stage heats back up at 8:00 p.m. when Pake McEntire performs. The headliner, Brian Gowan, is scheduled to hit the stage at 9:00 p.m. The quilt celebration highlights the activities Sunday and it will run from noon until 4:00 p.m. at the VPAC.