LANGLEY, OK – What does a fish cooking contest have to do with a northeastern Oklahoma tradition known as the Calf Fry Festival hosted annually in nearby Vinita on an annual basis? If we board that elusive Grand Lake time machine and flashback to some twenty-plus years ago, we may well find the answer.
In those days, former Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Barbara Conner was guiding what was then known as the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to that of a major player on Grand Lake. In a prime example of the old cliché, “Hark, I must hasten to catch them, for I am their leader!” , Barbara returned to the office one day to find her son, Sam, and chamber administrative assistant Jeanne Norman Dry had conceived an idea for a festival that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in September.
Norman, who now manages the Langley Public Library, recalls how the event came to be like this: “Barbara was out being Barbara and Sam and I were brainstorming for an idea for the chamber which would result in fun and profit. Since the Calf Fry Festival was such a huge success, we concentrated our brainstorming on what we could do here in the area with a similar theme. We eventually settled in on a catfish cooking competition with teams, judges and all the extras like live music and much more.”
When Barbara returned the energetic pair sprung their idea on their unsuspecting leader and another Grand Lake tradition was born. Then, after eight wildly successful years and with the help of Grand Lake’s political friends, the event was added to the national registry and became recognized as a national cooking competition.
The 20th Annual Hook N Cook Off is proud to announce that KTUL Channel 8’s Evening Anchor, Kristin Dickerson, will be our emcee at the event on September 28th. Kristin is a Grand Lake enthusiast and has even been noodling to catch catfish. Who better to emcee the 12th Annual National Hook N Cook Off!
In celebration of the 20th Anniversary, we have decided to throw a big party! The VIP Cook’s Party held will be held on Friday, September 27th at Harbor’s View Marina and will be serving Judy’s famous Shrimp Bowl and live entertainment. Cooking teams and sponsors will be given complimentary tickets to the party and other party goers can buy their tickets for $20 a person. The party starts at 6 pm and of course Dock’s Bar will be open during the event.
This year’s festivities will be held at the South Grand Lake Regional Airport and will include a car and bike show, the Grand Lake Marketplace full of arts and craft vendors, inflatable bounce houses for children, kid zone, aircraft, art contest through area schools and of course everyone’s favorite the Cook Off competition all while Licketty Split entertains the crowd. The gates open at 9:30 and the tasting starts at 11:00 am with festivities wrapping up at 3:30 PM. The Girlfriends of the Airport will be selling beer; pop and water so just bring your pocketbook and lawns chairs and enjoy the day. Tasting kits are only $8 at the gate for adults, $7 in advance and $5 for Children.
We invite you to participate in this 20th Annual celebration either as an attendee, entering a cooking team, as a vendor in the Grand Lake Marketplace, by entering your car or bike into the show or sponsoring the event. Event producer, Jaime Dobbins, says “This event usually attracts around 1500 people and is a perfect place to market your business to the Grand Lake community. We already have quite a few vendors, cooking teams and sponsors and expect a record breaking crowd.” Please contact Jaime Dobbins jaimedobbins@gmail.com or 405-409-1324 for information about participating or the Grand Lake Area Chamber Office at 918-782-3214 and www.grandlakechamber.org.
The Grand Lake Area Chamber would like to thank all of our sponsors that have already committed their support – GRDA, Arrowhead Yacht Club, Vinita Daily Journal/Grand Laker, REC and Bank of Grove.