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Oklahoma: A Story Through Her People

A full-color photography book showcasing Oklahoma paired with the histories of companies, institutions, and organizations that have made the state great.

A full-color photography book showcasing Oklahoma paired with the histories of companies, institutions, and organizations that have made the state great.

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Top: International Finals Youth Rodeo Bull Rider, Shawnee, 2013.<br />

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JAMES PFIFER, RODEOBUM.COM.<br />

Center: International Finals Youth Rodeo Steer Wrestler, Shawnee, 2013.<br />

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JAMES PFIFER, RODEOBUM.COM.<br />

Bottom: International Finals Youth Rodeo, Tie Down Roper, Shawnee, 2013.<br />

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JAMES PFIFER, RODEOBUM.COM.<br />

Mike Jackson is operations manager of the Heart of <strong>Oklahoma</strong><br />

Exposition Center, the largest facility in Shawnee that draws an<br />

estimated 15,000 people monthly.<br />

“There are a lot of events they (the Convention & Visitors<br />

Bureau or CVB) financially support,” Jackson said. Among them<br />

are calf roping, barrel racing and others. He also noted the<br />

CVB provides welcome bags and information for visitors to the<br />

community. “They help with our motels. They help with the<br />

International Finals Youth Rodeo, playing a huge role in it.” They<br />

help with the media for the IFYR, which is considered the richest<br />

youth rodeo in the world. This is the twenty-second consecutive<br />

year for the event and today provides more than $200,000<br />

in prize money and other awards for the winning contestants.<br />

Jackson also pointed out the CVB helps with large RV rallies, a<br />

number of which Farris and Expo staff member Stephanie Gideon<br />

help recruit for the Expo and the community. Right after this year’s<br />

IFYR in July, a 500-unit RV rally will descend upon the Expo<br />

Center, and following it will be the National Junior Beefmaster<br />

Show with more than 400 head of cattle and contestants from<br />

thirteen states attending.<br />

The 2015 Central District Livestock Show, another large event, drew<br />

huge numbers of youth and the parents who support them.<br />

Jackson said the National Barrel Horse Association has at least<br />

six events annually and the State 4-H Horse Show also was held at<br />

the Expo.<br />

-Mike McCormick<br />

Shawnee Convention & Visitors Bureau<br />

O K L A H O M A : A S t o r y T h r o u g h H e r P e o p l e<br />

126

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