Canute - Little Town, Big Celebration
by Richard Stephens, Jr.
Route 66 is alive and well in Canute!
Miss Washita County and other parade participants on Route 66 in Canute, Oklahoma.
Canute’s Preservation and Restoration (CPR) group held their 3rd Annual Canute Day on Route 66 Festival, a successful day-long event that largely took place on Historic Route 66. About 675 people attended, according to Kathy Schones, President of CPR. The CPR held it because, “We felt like we wanted to promote our town, focusing on Route 66 and the town itself.”
Thirty-eight walkers and runners entered the 5K Fun Run at 8:00 a.m., organized by Craig Mahl, who also ran. It was a first-time event. The Friends Pub & Pizza, popular with townspeople, sold beignets and mimosas for breakfast, Indian Tacos at lunch, and served customers throughout the day.
“Here they come!” kids yelled as a line of firetrucks, tractors, classic cars, motorcycles, several local businesses like Friends Pizza and Southern Leisure, and Miss Washita County rolled by. Planners estimated a couple hundred people lined the road to watch.
Schones said that despite several events occurring in nearby towns on the same weekend, “I was really surprised how well the parade was attended both by participants and audience.”
Most events shifted to the Canute Route 66 Park. The park was full of merchandise tents, children’s bounce houses, an Art in the Park display with chalk drawings, and a silent auction with scores of items to bid on.
Blaine Davis, Eastern Vice-President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, gave away almost 200 Trip Guides. “It was very successful,” he said. “They’re very lucky to have that dedicated group (of planners) in that small town.”
About every Canute resident, population 520, owns a golf cart to visit each other and shop. So, a Golf Cart Poker Run fit right in with the rest of the festivities. Paula McRee sold tickets to 24 contestants, raising nearly $500.
Riding with Nick Thomas and Kenny Langley of Canute was a great way to experience the poker run first hand:
First stop, Joe’s Liquor Store: Ace.
Second stop, the Rogers house: Ace -a pair!
Third stop, the Walkers residence: Queen.
Fourth stop, the Kellen home: Ace – three of a kind!
Last stop, Friends Pub: 9 of hearts.
Nick and Kenny were thrilled to win $240 in the 50/50 split win!
Something that hasn’t been part of a Route 66 festival the Association has attended in recent years was an opportunity to hear about Route 66 (and Canute) from town elders. Leland and Sharon Jackson, Eula Kilhoffer, and Diane Peffer talked to interested people about life in the 1940s – 1960s.
One area of interest adjacent to the park where many of the events took place is a Grotto inside the Holy Family Cemetery. It consists of an outside Crucifixion scene and a dome shaped cone, which contains a depiction of Christ reposed and watched over by two angels. It’s a beautiful draw for Route 66 travelers from around the world.
Some of the key organizers of Canute Day on Route 66 pose at Canute Route 66 Park.
Schones thought Canute Day was a success and was glad most events moved to the park this year. “Better atmosphere.” The day ended with the Pixar film WALL-E, and fireworks. She especially thanked Paula McRee, Isiah Franklin, Craig Mahl, Roberta Kamphaus, Paul and Savannah Schones, Kevin Merz, and the other planners and helpers. Sponsors included Canute Lions Club, Fire Department, FFA, Girl Scout troop, and High School Robotics and Family Consumer Science classes. Net proceeds benefit Canute’s Preservation and Restoration Group.
