Now that school is out and Summer is here, what is there to do in Chickasha? I hear this a lot and certainly see it a lot on social media. “There’s nothing to do” or there’s nothing for kids to do.” That may have been the case in the past, but not in Chickasha 2026. Let’s start with kids. Now there’s not just the pool at Shannon Spring Park, but there is another one open to the public at Drover Hills Golf Course. Sure there’s a small fee to swim, but that pretty much goes to the high school students that are hired to be life guards. With the Thunder in the NBA playoffs, don’t forget about the Thunder Court at Washita Valley Park. It just got a new paint job last summer and like all our City parks it’s free to enjoy. Going back to Drover Hills, there are also basketball, tennis and pickleball courts there too. Drover Hills is very focused on helping youth learn the game and they just built the new Orville Moody practice facility. Give them a call for hours and special offer for youths. Jungle Ice offers all kinds of fun for kids, from put-put to video games and incredible snow cones, they have it all. Also don’t miss the library’s special summer programs, especially the ones showcasing America 250! So what can the adults do this summer in Chickasha. First of all go to visitchickasha.com for a listing of events, with so many to choose from, there really is something for everyone. Legends Pubhouse always has an incredible line up of live music. What a great venue to catch a touring national artist right here in our Community! The Chief Drive In offers a slice of Americana that makes us the envy of most other towns in Oklahoma. They are one of the few places in the entire state that offer the drive in movie experience. There are so many special events coming up this summer in our town, it’s amazing to see all the activities. The City of Chickasha will be providing free family fun with the Wings and Wheels Airshow on June 6th. The Chickasha Area Arts Council is adding a downtown arts festival that day to give the over 5,000 visitors who attend the Air show something to do in the afternoon that day. The Chickasha Community Theater will showcase some incredible kids during the performance of “The Lion King Jr” later on in June. There will also be a list of patriotic events during the Chamber’s Festival of Freedom that will run through July 4th weekend. You can check all that out on the Chamber’s website or social media pages. There is no doubt that I have accidently missed mentioning some stuff. That also makes my point of all that is going on. Our town is growing with new residents, new businesses but also a new level of excitement when it comes to things to do. It’s going to be a GREAT summer in Chickasha, get out and enjoy all #TheGoodStuff!

Don’t take my word for it, just listen to what Oklahoma Lt. Governor said on his recent Town Hall here in Chickasha. When people think about “economic development,” they often picture industrial parks, big factories, and glass office buildings. But at a recent town hall in Chickasha, Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell reminded us of something both simple and powerful: “Tourism is the front door for economic development.” He came to Chickasha to talk specifically about the impact of tourism in rural Oklahoma and he used our town as a positive example. That alone is worth celebrating. Pinnell praised Chickasha for leaning into what makes us unique. He highlighted the now-famous Leg Lamp as more than just a quirky roadside attraction; it’s a conversation starter, a photo op, and a reason for people to pull off the highway and into our downtown. Those visitors buy gas, grab lunch, maybe do a little shopping and sometimes, they come back. He also recognized the efforts of Visit Chickasha, (the Tourism arm of the EDC)which has brought home multiple Redbud Awards in recent years. Those awards are Oklahoma’s top honors in tourism, and they don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of people here who believe Chickasha is worth showcasing and are willing to put in the hours to prove it. The Lt. Governor specifically pointed to two events that have become anchors for our local tourism economy: The nationally recognized Festival of Light, which transforms our community into a holiday destination and draws families from across the state and beyond, and The Oklahoma Food Truck Championship, which not only fills our streets with incredible food, but when showcased with the Rock Island Arts Festival and Rock Island Ride, showcases our Community to thousands of people every fall. Both events start as experiences and memories made with kids, dates, and friends. But behind the scenes, they’re also engines of economic activity. They bring in sales tax revenue, help local businesses thrive, and introduce first-time visitors to Chickasha. Some of those visitors eventually become repeat customers, new residents, or even investors. That’s the heart of Pinnell’s message. When people visit a place and love it, they start to imagine themselves in it. That’s why tourism really is the front door. You don’t land a new business or convince a family to move here without them first walking through that door and seeing something worth coming back for. In rural Oklahoma, this matters even more. We don’t always have the sheer size or resources of a big city. What we do have is character, creativity, Community, and a willingness to work together. Chickasha’s tourism success—recognized at the state level—is proof that when we invest in what makes us special, the rest can follow. That’s #TheGoodStuff this week: a reminder that our festivals, landmarks, and homegrown events aren’t just fun…they’re a strategy. And thanks to the work of the many volunteers and sponsors, our front door is wide open.