This two-day event at Robbers Cave State Park draws between 40,000 and 50,000 people to southeastern Oklahoma. Beavers Bend s Owa Chito, Festival of the Forest, held every June, also draws tens of thousands for a weekend of lumberjack competition, arts and crafts, entertainment and food. Both historical reenactments and bluegrass festivals also are popular in the state parks. Sequoyah Resort Park s Three Forks Fall Fstival, Roman Nose Resort Park s Bitter Creek Frontier Daze encampment, and Fountainhead State Park s Heritage Days are among the major reenactment festivals in the state, while Boiling Springs, Okmulgee and Western Hills Guest Ranch host bluegrass performers and fiddlers in their parks. Among the newest and most unique events in Oklahoma state parks is the Lake Wister State Park Gar Rodeo held in August.
Anglers come from all over Oklahoma and Arkansas to tangle with the state s orneriest game fish.
Volunteer Program Increased efforts to expand the state park s volunteer program resulted in significant increases in volunteer participation, hours provided and savings incurred from the program. The Park Partner Volunteer Program at the 51 state parks had a cumulative total of 192,843 hours performed, including support from civic organizations, school groups, RV clubs, camp hosts and prison inmate labor. The work was performed in a variety of operational functions throughout the parks and at the nature centers. During FY 2000, more than 50 volunteers helped staff plant 1,500 seedling trees at Fort Cobb, Fountainhead and Walnut Creek State Parks nurseries. This project was honored with an award of excellence from the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful organization.