Oklahoma
Reflecting on 50 years since ‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ filmed in Oklahoma
This June marks 50 years since the classic film, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” made its debut in theaters in 1974.
Based on the 1961 novel by Oklahoma author Wilson Rawls, this heartwarming coming-of-age story is about a young boy and his adventures to save his money to purchase two red-bone hound hunting dogs in Tahlequah.
With scenes and sets shot across Oklahoma, including Vian, Tahlequah and Natural Falls State Park, this movie put our state on the big screen and started us on a path toward building an industry that is now flourishing.
Our diverse landscapes, talented workforce and supportive infrastructure have attracted numerous films over the years, leading to a burgeoning industry that contributes significantly to our local economy.
More: Keep it rolling: Oklahoma’s growing film and TV industry tries to maintain ‘upward trajectory’
In the 2021 fiscal year alone, Oklahoma saw 34 projects filmed in-state, which spent a collective $170 million in local state expenditures, supporting a total of 11,004 hires and wages over $100 million. This impact does not include the over 150 productions outside the state’s incentive program, including commercial projects, music videos and more.
The presence of a vibrant film sector not only creates jobs and stimulates economic growth, but also elevates Oklahoma’s profile as a cultural and artistic tourist hub, drawing in visitors to see the places where their favorite movies and shows were filmed. Visitors to film sites further drive economic impact in local communities by exploring the towns and areas nearby.
More: Guest: With worst times behind it, Fairfax, Oklahoma, is ready for its best of times
To commemorate the landmark 50th anniversary of “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and celebrate the role of film in the state’s tourism industry, our team at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department will be hosting an event June 22 at Natural Falls State Park, one of the filming sites.
Visitors will have the opportunity to step into the world of the movie, exploring the exact trails where Billy and his dogs, Little Ann and Old Dan, roamed. The event will feature guided hikes to one of the filming locations, a movie at the Reunion Center and a variety of activities that celebrate both the film and Natural Falls.
The health of our tourism sector is intertwined with the success of our film industry. By continuing to showcase Oklahoma’s scenic locations and fostering a welcoming environment for filmmakers and tourists alike, we ensure that our state remains a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and visit.
I hope you’ll join us at Natural Falls on June 22 to reflect on the legacy of films like “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and ensure its impact endures for generations to come, inspiring new audiences and showcasing the best of what our state has to offer.
Shelley Zumwalt is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.
Oklahoma
These 10 sites are the strangest landmarks in Oklahoma, WorldAtlas says
Bricktown to Paseo: 5 trendy OKC districts for shopping, dining
Oklahoma City offers a number of trendy districts for shopping, dining and more. Here are five notable neighborhoods to visit in OKC.
From a large blue whale in a landlocked state to a haunted mansion, Oklahoma is home to several odd landmarks that attract visitors from all over.
WorldAtlas recently named these weird sites the 10 strangest landmarks in Oklahoma.
Blue Whale of Catoosa
Location: 2600 N State Hwy 66, Catoosa
A local celebrity resides along Route 66 year-round in northeast Oklahoma, welcoming visitors into its aquatic belly.
The Blue Whale of Catoosa was built by zoologist Hugh S. David in 1972 so that his grandchildren could play in the nearby pond, according to Travel Oklahoma. David’s friend, Harold Thomas, assisted the zoologist in building the The 20-feet-tall and 80-feet-wide mammal over a span of two years.
While swimming is no longer available, visitors can still picnic and fish with the famous Blue Whale.
World’s largest peanut
Location: 300 W Evergreen St., Durant
A small city in southeast Oklahoma is home to the world’s largest peanut commemorated with a statue outside of Durant City Hall, according to Travel Oklahoma. The statue was dedicated in 1974.
“Dedicated to the Bryan County peanut growers and processors,” inscription reads.
Circus cemetery: Mount Olivet Cemetery
Location: Trice & S 8th St., Hugo
Hugo, another small city in southeast Oklahoma, has a cemetery for rodeo greats Freckles Brown, Lane Frost, Todd Watley and L. Hammock, according to Travel Oklahoma.
Mount Olivet Cemetery is also the final resting place for Ed Ansley, also known as Buster Brown, and William H. Darrough, the founder of Hugo.
Blanchard Cemetery
Location: 2318 North Council Ave., Blanchard
Another known cemetery in Oklahoma is the Blanchard Cemetery where visitors may see a dark figure in a trench coat waving at them, according to WorldAtlas.
If they keep walking, they may spot a little girl flitting between the gravestones, or hear a small child crying or see a blue light hovering over the graves in Section 2, the website says.
Overholser Mansion
Location: 405 NW 15th St, Oklahoma City
The Overholser Mansion, the former abode of Henry and Anna Ione Overholser, is a most famous haunt in Oklahoma City. The ghost-story-filled mansion has been a museum and public venue for decades.
Some claim the ghost of Anna Ione Overholser, once the queen of Oklahoma City society, still haunts the home. She wears a pearl-decked lacy white gown, her dark hair piled gracefully around her face.
Frog Rock
Location: Frog Rd., Terlton
A large amphibian sits in Terlton on Frog Road just outside of Mannford. The six-foot-tall rock formation is painted green and white to look like a frog, according to Travel Oklahoma.
To get to it, trek over a bridge and through backwoods, but don’t worry — it can’t hop away before you reach it.
Cimmy the Dinosaur
Location: 1300 N Cimarron, Boise City
Sitting outside of the Cimarron Heritage Center in Boise City is Cimmy the Dinosaur, a metal Apatosaurus, measuring 65 feet long, 35 feet high and weighs thousands of pounds, according to Travel Oklahoma.
The dinosaur was created as a real life representation of a dinosaur that was extracted from Cimarron County in the 1930s. It’s referred to as a “Cimarronasaurus,” according to the state’s travel website.
Center of the Universe
Location: 20 E Archer St., Tulsa
Located in downtown Tulsa, the Center of the Universe if an 8-feet concrete circle described as an “acoustic anomaly” by Travel Oklahoma.
Noises made inside the brick circle is loudly echoed, but only those inside the circle can hear it. Loud sounds heard inside the circle cannot be heard from outside the perimeter of the brick structure.
Lake Hefner Lighthouse
Location: Lake Hefner Pkwy., Oklahoma City
Lake Hefter Lighthouse, officially the Lighthouse at East Wharf, in Oklahoma City is one of the finest spots in Oklahoma City to watch the setting sun.
The 36-foot lighthouse, beige with burgundy trim and a locked green door, was built in 1999 as part of a development project led by Randy Hogan. The lighthouse is modeled after the Brant Point Light Station on the north side of Nantucket Island in Massachusetts.
Gravity Hill
Location: Pioneer (Pitt) Rd., Springer
Gravity Hill, or Magnetic Hill, is another anomaly in Oklahoma near Springer. On the hill, drivers will sense that instead of their car rolling downhill with the motor turned off, it’ll actually roll uphill, according to Travel Oklahoma.
The website instructs visitors to drive to Pioneer Road, stop the car at the bottom of the hill and put it in neutral, then feel a force “pull” you and the car up the hill.
Oklahoma
WATCH: Oklahoma HC Jennie Baranczyk and F Sahara Williams Georgia Postgame Press Conference
Ryan is managing editor at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City.
Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more.
Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com.
Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.
Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK.
Oklahoma
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel
The Portland Trail Blazers return home from a 3-0 trip with a four-game winning streak to face their most daunting home stand of the season starting Sunday afternoon with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Blazers have lost twice to the Thunder, falling 137-114 at home on Nov. 1 and 109-99 on the road on Nov. 20.
The Blazers put forth an impressive defensive effort at the Thunder to trail by just one point entering the fourth quarter.
Portland has played impressively on defense lately, allowing 96 points per game during their last four victories. But it’s doubtful Portland’s defense will hold up against the Thunder.
Oklahoma City ranks sixth in offensive rating (116), first in defensive rating (103.7) and first in net rating (plus-12.3).
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA with 32 points per game.
Prediction: The Thunder will win. There’s no need for an explanation.
• • •
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
What: Trail Blazers (17-28) vs. Thunder (36-8), 3 p.m., Sunday.
Where: Moda Center.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).
How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.
• • •
ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR +470 | OKC -650
Spread: POR +11.5 | Over/Under: 225.5
INJURIES
Blazers: Deandre Ayton (right knee soreness) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out for Friday.
Thunder: Cason Wallace (nasal fracture) is available. Luguentz Dort (right knee soreness), Chet Holmgren (right iliac fracture), Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) and Ajay Mitchell (right toe surgery) are
NEXT UP
The Blazers host Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
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