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 . 

If you’ve spent any time near the Leg Lamp in Downtown Chickasha, especially around the Welcome Center then you’ve probably met one of our community’s brightest ambassadors, Pamela Prather. Pamela owns The Crafty Queen, the charming gift shop nestled right next door, and she brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “shop local.” Walk inside and you’ll find shelves full of uniquely Chickasha treasures: hometown apparel, clever souvenirs, handmade gifts, and one-of-a-kind pieces that help tell our story. Pamela has an eye for fun, a knack for creativity, and a love for all things Chickasha. She even carries officially licensed A Christmas Story merchandise! Yes, the real deal. If you've ever wanted your own piece of the movie magic that made our giant Leg Lamp famous, The Crafty Queen is the place to find it. But here’s the truth, while Pamela sells merchandise, what she really sells is Chickasha. With every visitor who walks through her door, from across town or across the globe, Pamela shares the heart of this Community. She talks about our Festival of Light, our growing downtown, our restaurants, our small businesses, and the people who make this place special. She gives directions, offers recommendations, answers questions, and makes every guest feel like they just met their first Chickasha friend. In a world where hospitality can sometimes feel rushed or overlooked, Pamela takes the time to create genuine moments. Her shop isn’t just a retail space; it’s a welcome wagon, an information booth, a storytelling center, and a warm handshake all wrapped into one. And for Chickasha, that matters! When visitors leave with a good impression, they feel seen, appreciated, and cared for they come back. They tell others. They become part of our story. And that’s because of people like Pamela, who show every day that community pride can be contagious. So the next time you’re downtown, stop by The Crafty Queen. Browse the great merchandise, but also take a moment to appreciate the woman behind the counter who champions Chickasha with every smile and every conversation. Pamela isn’t just running a business, she’s lifting up a Community, and that’s The Good Stuff !

This Thursday, Chickasha gets something truly special… a moment just for us. Before the Festival of Light officially opens for the season and before thousands of visitors stream into our community, we celebrate Locals Night . It’s the one evening each year when the Shannon Springs Park lights belong entirely to the people who call this place home. There’s nothing quite like seeing the Festival of Light without the steady flow of car traffic. Locals Night lets you experience the magic in a way that feels intimate and personal as you walk hand-in-hand with friends, strolling beside families you know from school or church, or even hopping on a bike and cruising under millions of lights. It feels like Chickasha at its best: relaxed, joyful, and connected. In many ways, this night sets the tone for the entire season. It reminds us that before the festival becomes a multi-state attraction that draws crowds from every direction, it starts with Community. Hundreds of volunteers put their hearts into building this wonderland and Thursday is our chance to soak it in together, to appreciate the work of so many volunteers and to enjoy a peaceful evening before the busy weekends ahead. And while you’re enjoying the night, don’t forget to help Chickasha shine even brighter. The Festival of Light is once again in the running for Best Holiday Light Display in the USA and your online vote can help us reach the #1 spot. It’s an easy way to show some hometown pride — and it brings even more attention to the businesses, restaurants, and shops that rely on this season. So gather your neighbors, grab your walking shoes or your bike, and come enjoy the quiet magic of Locals Night. Before the excitement truly begins, we get a night just for ourselves, a reminder of why this Community is so special. Go enjoy #TheGoodStuff!

Chickasha is stepping into the holiday season with a bright bit of news. The Chickasha Festival of Light has again been nominated as a Top 10 Christmas Light Display in the country by the USA Today! That kind of recognition does not just happen. It comes from decades of dedication and pride poured in by the people who call this place home. Please consider logging in and voting on this Readers’ Choice poll. The Festival of Light did not grow into a nationally known attraction through luck. It grew because hundreds of volunteers give their time, energy, and heart to create something magical for families near and far. From stringing lights to directing traffic to greeting guests with a warm Oklahoma smile, these folks show what community spirit really looks like. They deserve every bit of praise that comes with this nomination. Then you add in the crews from the City of Chickasha that started working at Shannon Springs park in September and the pride they take in making sure everything looks so good. A Top 10 spotlight brings more than glowing headlines. It brings visitors, activity, and momentum for our local economy. Chickasha businesses are preparing for what promises to be one of the busiest holiday seasons yet. More families walking Downtown. More meals shared at local restaurants. More shopping with local merchants. Every light at the park helps spark opportunity across our community. Last Friday, Intellego Medio released the documentary Fragile’ on streaming platforms. It tells the story of the Chickasha Leg Lamp the past few years and will showcase everything that has happened. Expect TV, Radio, Newspapers, Podcasts and social media highlighting our town just in time for the holiday season, giving visitors another reason to experience our Community! This nomination is a reminder of what happens when people step up and believe in their town. That is the heartbeat of #TheGoodStuff. Chickasha keeps rising because our community keeps choosing to invest in one another. As the lights shine brighter this Christmas season, so will the spirit of the people who make it all possible. At the State of the City, Mayor Zach Grayson said there are three words that define our Community right now: Unified, Thriving and Unstoppable! I can’t think of a better description!

It wasn’t that long ago that Chickasha was the one traveling to other towns to see what was working. We were studying how they grew their downtowns, recruited industry, and created momentum. Today, that script has flipped. Chickasha is now welcoming other communities for visits. Recently, we’ve had emails and calls from communities like Hobart, Atoka, Weatherford, and Comanche, all wanting to learn what’s happening here. They see the new retail chains choosing Chickasha, the growing energy around our downtown, the progress at the Airport Industrial Park, and the collaboration between our public and private sectors. They’re asking, “How are you doing it?” And that’s something we can all take pride in. Because what’s happening in Chickasha isn’t the result of one program, one business, or one person — it’s the collective effort of an entire community choosing to move forward together. From City Hall to Main Street, from our business leaders to everyday residents who support local events and shops, Chickasha is showing what can happen when people believe in their town. Success builds on success and others are noticing. We have had visits from all the leading Governor and Lt. Governor candidates that are seeking election next year. They are interested in what we are doing and how can they connect with our leaders. Despite our recent success, we have so many things to work on, so many areas we need to get better. We are making significant progress, but still have so much to do. It’s rewarding when other towns look to Chickasha for inspiration, but we can’t lose the momentum we currently have. Having other towns respect what we are doing, that’s not just good news for us, it’s proof that progress is contagious. We’re not just growing; we’re leading by example. And that’s #TheGoodStuff.