Do you remember what you were doing on July 2, 1994? That was the day Tonkawa celebrated its 100th birthday and it was certainly a day to remember. July 2, 2019, will be Tonkawa’s 125th birthday.
So much was happening on July 2, 1994, in Tonkawa. This was also the Groundbreaking day for the Performing Arts Center at Northern Oklahoma College. A Tonkawa All-School Reunion was held with over 1,000 attending. Centennial Park was dedicated. Tonkawa Elementary School students published a book of poems, stories and drawings for their concept of the centennial. The book is entitled “Through The Eyes...”. Over 70 entries were in the day’s parade. Eight women, over the age of 65, were contestants to be named Centennial Queen. As it turned out, all the ladies were honored and named queen.
Dedication ceremony for the Centennial Park was impressive. It was dedicated to those early day settlers and to those who continue to preserve Tonkawa. Bill Lloyd, a Nashville song writer and performer, presented special music. His great grandfather, W. W. Gregory, was a founding father of Tonkawa. Dr. Joe Kinzer,
President of NOC, gave the Welcome. Joe Brining was Master of Ceremonies. Guest Speaker was LaVern Laws who grew up in Tonkawa and was a tireless supporter of the community. He had been dubbed as ‘Tonkawa’s Greatesst Ambassador.
The granite Cherokee Strip Monument that was erected in the park and dedicated to ‘the people who loved the land’ was unveiled by Roy Fath, Dwight Deem, John Esch and Robert Diemer,Jr. representing their families who had helped settle the land.
Closing the Dedication Ceremony was the singing and the signing in Tonkawa Tribal Language of the Lord’s Prayer by Marilyn Cornell and Melissa Cornell.
So much work by a Tonkawa Historical Society committee of thirty-one to make this event happen. It was truly a day to remember.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONKAWA
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