In rural America, government isn’t something distant or abstract. It’s your neighbor. It’s the person you see at the grocery store, at Friday night ballgames, standing in line for coffee on a Saturday morning, or in Church on Sundays. That’s especially true here in Chickasha and it’s why City Council elections matter more than many people realize. City Council members in Communities like ours are not career politicians. They are volunteers. They serve not for headlines or paychecks, but because they care deeply about the place they call home. They raise families here, run businesses here, worship here, and want Chickasha to be stronger tomorrow than it is today. In rural America, City Councils make decisions that directly affect everyday life. Streets and sidewalks. Water and sewer infrastructure. Public safety. Economic development. Parks, events, and quality-of-life investments. These decisions shape whether a community grows, stagnates, or declines. There’s no buffer between policy and people. What’s decided at City Hall is felt almost immediately on Main Street. That’s what makes local elections so important. When you vote in a City Council race, you’re not choosing between abstract platforms. You’re choosing stewards of your tax dollars. You’re choosing voices that will represent your values when difficult decisions must be made. You’re choosing who will sit at the table when opportunities arise and when challenges hit. In Chickasha, we’ve seen firsthand what engaged, committed local leadership can accomplish. Progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when citizens are willing to step forward, give their time, listen to their neighbors, and make thoughtful decisions for the greater good. City Council members balance growth with tradition, ambition with responsibility, and optimism with fiscal discipline. It’s also worth remembering the personal cost of service. These volunteers attend long meetings, read thick agendas, field phone calls, and make tough calls, often with limited thanks and plenty of scrutiny. Yet they continue to serve because they believe in Chickasha. They believe rural communities matter., and they believe local leadership is still the most powerful force for positive change. City Council elections are where democracy is most real. They are grassroots in the truest sense. They remind us that the future of rural America isn’t decided in Washington, D.C., t’s decided in town halls, council chambers, and at the ballot box right here at home. When neighbors step up, when citizens engage., and when a Community like Chickasha continues to move forward because people care enough to serve and others care enough to vote…That’s #TheGoodStuff!

After the kind of winter that tests even the hardiest Oklahomans…extreme cold, more than eight inches of snow, and days that felt like they might never warm up, it’s only natural to start dreaming of Spring. We picture longer days, green grass, and the simple joy of sunshine. But Spring isn’t just a change in weather. Spring is about renewal. And here in Chickasha, renewal is already underway. Over the next six weeks, we’ll see tangible signs that a new season has arrived—physically, culturally, and spiritually. First, of course, comes the weather. Warmer temperatures will bring people back outdoors, kids back to parks, and neighbors back onto front porches. There’s something powerful about that first stretch of Spring days when the Community seems to collectively exhale and reengage. It’s a reminder that seasons change and so do circumstances. Spring also ushers in a season of celebration. Memorial Weekend through the July 4th Weekend, Chickasha will once again come alive with the Festival of Freedom. This year, residents and visitors alike can look forward to new events layered into the festival lineup with fresh ideas that honor our past while creating new traditions. As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, these events will reflect both patriotism and progress, reminding us why Chickasha is a place people are proud to call home. Renewal is also happening on the local level in meaningful ways. At Drover Hills, the nonprofit continues its mission-driven work with new improvements designed to help kids learn the game of golf. These enhancements aren’t just about facilities; they’re about opportunity. They’re about teaching discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship, skills that extend far beyond the course and into life itself. Change is coming on the state level as well. Later this year, Oklahoma will welcome a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor once elections are finalized. Regardless of politics, transitions like these mark a new chapter, an opportunity for fresh leadership, new perspectives, and renewed focus on the future of our state and communities like Chickasha. And perhaps most importantly, Spring brings the continual renewal of hope. Hope that our community will keep growing. Hope that new families, new businesses, and new ideas will continue to choose Chickasha. Hope that even after difficult seasons, whether caused by weather, uncertainty, or challenge, we move forward stronger and more united than before. Spring is coming. Not just on the calendar, but in spirit. And as Chickasha steps into this new season, let’s embrace the new beginnings around us, appreciate the progress being made, and remain hopeful for what lies ahead. Because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s this: the best days for our community are still in front of us and that’s #TheGoodStuff!

One of the most important things we can do as a growing community is pause long enough to recognize the shoulders we are standing on. Chickasha’s momentum today did not happen by accident, and it certainly did not start overnight. Much of our current success can be traced directly back to former city leaders and business visionaries who believed in Chickasha long before growth was guaranteed. For decades, Stan Levine and Bill Miller of the Dixie Department Store represented more than retail. They represented confidence in downtown Chickasha when downtowns were being threatened by strip malls. The Dixie was a gathering place, an anchor, and a statement that local investment mattered. Their commitment helped maintain the heart of our city during times when it would have been easier to look elsewhere. Over 25 years ago, John Mosley was helping lead economic development efforts at a time when the conversation around growth looked very different than it does today. Infrastructure, land availability, and long-term planning were not popular buzzwords yet, but they were already priorities. The groundwork laid during that period positioned Chickasha to take advantage of opportunities that are coming to fruition now. He was a passionate advocate for our Community and devoted much of his time to civic organizations. Jack Brewer also instrumental in shaping modern Chickasha. He played a huge role in bringing Walmart to town at a moment that expanded our retail base, strengthened our trade area, and changed how the region viewed Chickasha as a shopping destination. At the same time, Jack’s leadership in growing KWCO radio ensured that Chickasha’s voice was heard daily across the region. Local radio matters, especially in communities like ours, because it keeps people informed, connected, and proud of where they live. Jack also started the first Cable-Vision here and was very active in the Chickasha Chamber. What all of these leaders shared was belief…a belief in Chickasha’s people, our potential, and our future. They invested when the returns were not obvious. They made decisions with decades in mind, not election cycles or quarterly reports. They stayed local, stayed committed, and stayed optimistic. Today, as we celebrate new development, growing tourism, national retailers, and record-setting events, it is worth remembering that none of this happens in a vacuum. Growth is cumulative. Vision compounds. The confidence shown decades ago is paying dividends now. Because former leaders believed in Chickasha then, others believe in Chickasha today. And because of that belief, past and present, our best chapters are still ahead! That is truly #TheGoodStuff .

A new year always brings fresh energy, renewed optimism, and a chance to look ahead at what’s possible. In Chickasha, that sense of momentum is not wishful thinking—it is grounded in real projects, real investment, and real confidence in our community. As we turn the page on the calendar, here are a few New Year’s predictions for Chickasha that are less about hope and more about inevitability. First, expect to see buildings come out of the ground at the Airport Industrial Park. For decades that property simply grew grass, not jobs but that will change. That is no longer our future. Infrastructure is being put in place, deals are closing, and 2026 will be the year when vertical construction becomes visible. Those buildings will represent jobs, capital investment, and long-term economic stability for Chickasha. Second, Chickasha will make more strides to be the Christmas Town people travel to experience. New Christmas decorations will be added around town, expanding the magic and reinforcing our brand throughout our community and the State. The Festival of Light, the Leg Lamp, and our downtown merchants have proven what seasonal placemaking can do and we are just getting started. Third, mark your calendars for the Festival of Freedom June 6 th through July 4th. Chickasha will host a month long celebration, as we join communities across the country in kicking off America 250 . This will be more than fireworks. It will be a statement about patriotism, pride, and Chickasha’s ability to host signature events that draw people together from across the region. Fourth, tourism will again hit an all-time high. Between Christmas Town, national media exposure, the Fairgrounds, Sports Complex, signature events, and growing word-of-mouth, more visitors than ever before will choose to Visit Chickasha. That means fuller hotels, busier restaurants, stronger retail sales, and more opportunities for local businesses to thrive. Expect to see many international travelers taking a side trip off of Route 66 as they celebrate that Centennial of the Mother Road. Fifth, expect more national retail announcements by this fall. Retailers follow rooftops, traffic counts, and trade-area growth and Chickasha continues to deliver on all three. The conversations are already happening, and additional announcements will further validate what we already know: Chickasha is a market worth investing in. Finally, more new housing announcements are coming. Growth requires places for people to live, and developers are responding. More homes mean more families, more workforce stability, and more long-term community strength. None of these predictions happen by accident. They are the result of vision, collaboration, and a Community that believes in itself. As we start this new year, there is a lot to be thankful for and even more to be excited about and that’s #TheGoodStuff!

As we close the book on 2025, it is worth pausing to reflect on just how much positive momentum Chickasha has experienced over the past year. This has been a defining year, one marked by long-awaited progress, statewide and national recognition, and a shared belief that our best days are not behind us, but directly in front of us. One of the most symbolic moments of 2025 was Chet Hitt closing on land in the Airport Industrial Park that, quite literally, had only grown grass for more than 20 years. For decades, that property represented potential that had yet to be realized. This year, that changed. That closing sent a clear message: Chickasha is no longer waiting for opportunity, we are acting on it. Development in the Industrial Park is no longer a concept or just a plan; it is happening. That momentum was amplified in June when we hosted a major press conference right here in Chickasha with Governor Kevin Stitt. Standing alongside local and state leaders, the Governor made a statement that resonated far beyond our city limits: “Chickasha is the place to be in Oklahoma right now!” Those were not just encouraging words, they were a reflection of the real work being done by the City, the EDC, the Chamber, local businesses, and community partners who are aligned around growth. 2025 also brought visible signs of confidence from the private sector. We celebrated groundbreakings for new national retail chains that have chosen Chickasha for their next locations. These investments mean more sales tax, more jobs, more services, and more reasons for people across our trade area to choose Chickasha as their destination to live, shop, play and do business. Our efforts did not stop at the city limits or even the state line. This year, representatives from the Chickasha EDC, the City, the CVT and local businesses joined Governor Stitt and other State officials on a recruiting trip to California to help attract new manufacturers to Chickasha. That kind of proactive, outward-facing economic development speaks volumes. We are not waiting for companies to find us, we are telling Chickasha’s story, confidently and competitively, on a national stage. And speaking of telling our story, 2025 was a banner year for positive media coverage. Chickasha was featured again and again in news stories highlighting our growth, our creativity, and our community spirit. The crowning moment came on Christmas Eve, when CBS National News showcased Chickasha to millions of viewers across the country. That single story has already been viewed more than 2 million times on Facebook, introducing people everywhere to what we already know: there is something special happening here. Speaking of telling our story, local film maker Reagan Elkins released the Fragile Documentary in November and it is streaming all over the world, answering the questions of why there is a Leg Lamp in Chickasha and will Warner Brothers sue to have it destroyed? All of these moments: land finally being developed, the Governor’s endorsement, new retail growth, national recruiting efforts, and unprecedented media attention are connected by one common thread: BELIEF. Belief in Chickasha. Belief in our people. Belief that when a community works together with purpose, good things follow. As we look ahead to 2026, let’s carry that momentum forward. Let’s remember that #TheGoodStuff doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because a community chooses to invest, collaborate, and believe, and in 2025 Chickasha did exactly that!

Merry Christmas from Christmas Town! As the lights glow a little brighter and the season wraps us in warmth, this is a wonderful moment to pause and appreciate what makes Chickasha so special. From Downtown to Shannon Springs Park, the spirit of Christmas is alive and shining—welcoming families, friends, and visitors from near and far who come to experience the joy that has become part of our Community’s identity. This season, take time to read and watch the many positive stories being shared about Chickasha. The Festival of Light continues to capture national attention, reminding the world what happens when a Community comes together with vision and heart. The Leg Lamp keeps putting smiles on faces and drawing visitors from across the globe, and Fragile: A Christmas Story Documentary is telling our story in a way that celebrates creativity, nostalgia, and the unexpected magic found right here at home. Most importantly, we want to say thank you to the merchants of Chickasha. Whether you run a shop, restaurant, hotel, or service business, you are on the front lines of hospitality every day. You welcome our visitors, take care of our locals, and help turn first-time guests into lifelong fans of Chickasha. Your decorations, friendly smiles, extended hours, and genuine pride in our town do not go unnoticed. As we gather with loved ones this Christmas, let’s continue to share the good news about our community, support our local businesses, and celebrate all the people who make Christmas Town what it is. From all of us to all of you—Merry Christmas, Chickasha, and thank you for being the very best of #TheGoodStuff.

Every year, when the Chickasha Festival of Light begins to glow and headlines start appearing across Oklahoma and far beyond, t’s easy to focus on the spectacle. The millions of lights, the families strolling through Shannon Springs Park, and the visitors who make Chickasha part of their holiday tradition. But… behind every shining display is something even brighter: our volunteers. The Festival of Light simply would not exist without the hundreds of people who give their time, energy, and heart to make it happen. Church youth groups show up ready to work, learning the value of service while creating memories they’ll carry for a lifetime. High school athletic teams volunteer together, building camaraderie off the field while helping their community shine. FFA students roll up their sleeves, bringing strong work ethic and pride in doing things the right way. Local civic clubs pick a night to spread the holiday cheer. USAO students are a huge part of the Festival as well. Young leaders who choose to invest in the town they call home, even if just for a season. And just as important are our retired volunteers, many of whom have been helping for years. Their experience, dedication, and steady presence are part of the foundation that keeps the Festival running smoothly year after year. These volunteers come from different backgrounds, different generations, and different walks of life, but they all share two things: a love for our community and a love for the Festival of Light. They show up in the heat to set it up, in the cold to keep it running, and night after night to make sure visitors leave with smiles on their faces as they experience “Christmas through the eyes of a child.” The Festival also wouldn’t happen without all the local businesses that sponsor throughout the season. Some of these businesses not only give financially, but they also commit their staff to work days to help set it up. This Festival may get national and international headlines, but it operates off of donations from visitors and sponsorships from our local Community! Next time you go through the park, take a look at who is sponsoring and thank them for making the commitment. So when the Festival of Light makes headlines, when it’s featured in the media and recognized as one of the best holiday displays in the country, we should pause and think about the people behind the scenes. The ones wearing work gloves instead of jackets, carrying extension cords instead of cameras, and giving their time so others can enjoy the magic. The Festival also wouldn’t happen without all the local businesses that sponsor throughout the season. Some of these businesses not only give financially, but they also commit their staff to work days to help set it up or work the gates. This Festival may get national and international headlines, but it operates off of donations from visitors and sponsorships from our local Community! Next time you go through the park, please make note of who is sponsoring and thank them for making the commitment. We should also offer special thanks to the visionaries who started the Chickasha Festival of Light more than 30 years ago. Their belief in what this community could create sparked a tradition that continues to grow, inspire, and bring people together every Christmas season. That’s #TheGoodStuff. Not just the lights…but the people who make them shine.

There’s something special happening in Chickasha, and if you were at this week’s groundbreaking, you could feel it in the air. Shovels turned dirt on a project that signals what many of us have known for a while now: national big-box retailers are choosing Chickasha . These new additions, set to open in 2026, aren’t coming here by accident. They’re coming because Chickasha is growing, thriving, and proving itself to be a destination. Our population has officially surpassed 17,000 , and our trade area now reaches over 120,000 people . That’s a powerful number, and it’s attracting powerful opportunities. But what’s even more exciting is that we’re nowhere near finished. More homes are going up across the community, and new businesses at the Industrial Park are gearing up to bring jobs, investment, and long-term stability. Momentum isn’t just building…it’s accelerating. And here’s the best part: this success isn’t happening because of luck. It’s happening because people here work together. From City Hall to local businesses, from volunteers to residents who simply want a better tomorrow, our schools, the Chamber, the EDC, Chickasha is proving that collaboration is our greatest strength. When we show up for each other, good things follow. When we plan boldly, progress follows. When we speak with one voice, opportunity listens. Mayor Grayson put it perfectly at the groundbreaking when he said the three words that define today’s Chickasha are: Unified. Thriving. Unstoppable. Those aren’t just words, they’re a reflection of who we’ve become and who we intend to be. Unified in purpose. Thriving in growth. Unstoppable in spirit. And if the last few months are any indication, Chickasha’s brightest days aren’t ahead of us—they’ve already begun and that’s # TheGoodStuff .

It’s that time of year when Chickasha leans into all the hoopla with the Leg Lamp and the result feels a bit like watching a hometown inside joke grow into a regional tradition, then into a full-blown cultural beacon. The glow from that sculpted stocking seems to draw people the way a campfire pulls storytellers. All over town…the affection shows. A&E Grill has suited up their team in holiday Leg Lamp t-shirts, turning every server into a moving reminder that grit, humor, and good food are the triple-threat of a thriving business. You can almost track the seasons by the outfits: football starts, temperatures drop, and suddenly the staff is dressed in soft-cotton holiday cheer, carrying burgers and beverages beneath that iconic lampshade. Ben & Jay’s keeps their Leg Lamp shining in the window like a lighthouse for nostalgia-seekers. Long before the rest of the country caught on, they understood that this quirky symbol wasn’t just a movie prop, it was a story starter. Visitors wander in, point, laugh, reminisce, and then enjoy a great dining experience. “Ralphie’s Restaurant” will open up soon as the creative couple behind Shakespeare Wine venture out to their second venue, just a half block from the 40 foot Leg Lamp. With their previous experience, many expect great things to come from their new restaurant. This new place is a completely separate business from the Air BnB down Chickasha avenue called Ralphie’s House. Shane Henry and Maggie McClure are not just the incredibly talented musicians behind the music videos of Hometown Christmas and Christmas Town, they are also the creative minds behind their tribute house to the movie “A Christmas Story.” And over at The Crafty Queen, our Community’s unofficial ambassador of Tourism, Pamela Prather has already sold several dozen officially licensed Leg Lamps this season. They’re heading out the door under the arms of tourists, families, and road-trippers who’ve detoured off the highway because they heard about “that giant lamp in Oklahoma.” Each one becomes a tiny ambassador once plugged into a living room somewhere far away. Even beyond Chickasha’s borders, the Leg Lamp continues its improbable rise. The Leg Lamp documentary “Fragile”, filmed right here, is finding a comfortable home on streaming platforms and introducing thousands of viewers to the story behind the story. What began as a hometown passion project now beams itself into living rooms nationwide, carrying with it a piece of our community’s creativity and grit, with a little laughter thrown in too. And just this past Sunday, The Oklahoman ran a feature story on how the Leg Lamp has boosted Chickasha’s local economy. Increased tourism, higher foot traffic downtown, and visitors staying longer and spending more. Turns out a single fiberglass leg can kickstart quite a bit of commerce. What some once thought was just a novelty has gone on to pay real dividends for restaurants, retailers, hotels, and the entire holiday season. The truth is simple: the Leg Lamp is no longer just ours. It belongs to every visitor whose face lights up when they see it for the first time. It belongs to the people who proudly wear it on a t-shirt, display it in their window, or watch the documentary with friends. And it belongs to the businesses that lean into the fun each year, building a warm and weirdly wonderful seasonal tradition that only Chickasha could pull off. The lamp keeps glowing, and Chickasha keeps growing and that’s #TheGoodStuff .