City of Lawton to Celebrate 112th Birthday

Events honoring the past, present, and future of the City of Lawton and its citizens will be held during the city’s birthday week beginning Saturday, August 3 and run through Saturday, August 10. These events are sponsored by the Lawton Rangers, the Pioneer Women’s Club of Lawton, and the City of Lawton.

Saturday, August 3 kick starts the week with the annual Lawton Rangers Breakfast from 7am to 9am at the L.O. Ranch House located at 2004 SE 60th St. Cost is $5.00 per person for a hearty all you can eat morning of community fun! Then at 11:30am, the Pioneer Women’s Club of Lawton will host the annual Pioneer Woman’s Memorial at the Ritter-Gray Funeral Chapel located at 632 SW C Avenue to honor all pioneers.

The Mayor of Lawton, Fred Fitch is pleased to invite the public to Lawton’s Birthday Reception and Ceremony to be held in the Banquet Hall in City Hall located at 212 SW 9th Street, Tuesday, August 6 at 5:30pm. During the ceremony there will be three very important recognition's. Both the Lawton Rangers and the Pioneer Women’s Club will be recognized for 75 years of service. The Lawton Award in Excellence will recognize the contributions of Albert Johnson, Sr. This very special award is presented by the Mayor to an individual who exemplifies outstanding excellence in service to community, state, and nation.

The week gears up for the Lawton Rangers PRCA Rodeo August 7-10 at the L.O. Ranch Arena located at 2004 SE 60th Street, over 400 of the top cowboys and cowgirls will compete in Barrel Racing, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, and Bull Riding. Several current world champions will compete at this year's event. Children will have the opportunity to participate in the Calf Scramble, and the L.O. Ranch Rodeo Queen will be announced on Saturday night.

The L.O. Ranch Arena and Rodeo Grounds are located three miles east of Lawton, off I-44, on Highway 7, and ½ mile south on SE 60th Street. The facility is ADA compliant and can accommodate tour groups with bus/motor coach parking. Please no pets; service animals only!

Plan now to bring the entire family and experience this Lawton tradition! Gates open at 6:30pm with the Grand Entry starting at 7:30pm nightly with presentation of the flags on horseback, demonstration by Ft. Sill's historic Half Section, and edge-of-your-seat rodeo action. There will be food, sales, and display vendors and activities for the children on the grounds. Special ticket prices are available on Wednesday and Thursday nights at the gate with Wednesday’s “Family/Military Night”, family of five gets in for $25 and Thursday’s, “2 for 1” where two can get in for one price. Note that Children’s ticket prices remain at regular price. Friday night is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night” with $1 from each ticket sold (to those wearing pink only) going to the Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center in Lawton. So come wearing pink on Friday night to help fight cancer in our community!

Friday and Saturday nights - immediately following the rodeo the annual Rodeo Dance will feature live music. Tickets are $5.00 per person.

Tickets to the rodeo can be purchased at any area EZ GO store, Crutcher's for the West, Western Discount Wearhouse, Ruben's Shoes, Atwoods and Adventure Travel at the Fort Sill Welcome Center.  Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the gate and kids 6-12 are $6, 4 and under are free.