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Guthrie's Centennial bash expected to be big


OKLAHOMA CITY -- Close to 100,000 people -- and media outlets from across the nation -- are expected to converge on Guthrie next month for the apex of the state's Centennial Celebration.

Scheduled the week of Nov. 9 through 17, Guthrie's celebration will include a ceremonial special session of the Oklahoma Legislature, a State Senate ceremony, a celebration by the state's African American community, a Native American sunset ceremony and a Statehood Inaugural Ball.

A Nov. 16 statehood day reenactment, parade and picnic will highlight the celebration.

"We're excited," said Guthrie Mayor Chuck Burtcher. "We're going to put on the dog for the rest of the state."

Known as Oklahoma's first state capital, the city of Guthrie lost the capital following a statewide election called by then-Gov. Charles Haskell.

Haskell, the state's first elected governor, was in Tulsa the day of the election, where he learned the results shortly after midnight. Haskell quickly signed a proclamation designating Oklahoma City as the new state capital and ordering the state seal to be moved.

Those events continue to generate myth and controversy in the Logan County town.

And come November, the seal will return to Guthrie.

But only for a few days.

On Nov. 12, Guthrie officials along with Secretary of State Susan Savage will return the seal to its original home for just four days -- Nov. 12 through 16.

The seal, which will be on display during the Legislature's ceremonial session, will be "guarded" by Savage as Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Burtcher exchange barbs about the seal's rightful home.

"It should be quite an event," Burtcher said. "A lot of fun."

On Nov. 16, the statehood announcement will be reenacted on the portico of the State Capital Publishing Museum -- then known as the home of the Oklahoma State Capital newspaper.

Hugh Scott -- the grandson of Dr. Hugh Scott, who made the original statehood announcement -- will shoot a gun and make the announcement at 9:16 a.m. After Scott's announcement, actors will again stage the symbolic wedding ceremony of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory.

A second Centennial Parade will take place at 11:30, winding through Guthrie's downtown area and ending at Mineral Wells Park, the site of town's original statehood barbecue.

Burtcher said the menu will be same featured 100 years ago.

"Just a piece of smoked beef, a slice of bread, a pickle and coffee or lemonade," he said.

On Nov. 17, Guthrie will host its second Statehood Inaugural Ball at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Center. The black-tie event will include Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and the descendants of Gov. Haskell.

"The community is excited and everyone is very positive," Burtcher said. "People are coming out of the woodwork to help. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event."

A celebration, he said, which could take place only in Guthrie.

"Guthrie is probably the only place in the country where its statehood celebration can still be held in the original buildings," he said. "You can walk down Main Street and realize how much history is there. All the history is there. It's wonderful."

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