Edmond Life and Leisure - May 2, 2024

There’s lots to see, do and eat at the Edmond Arts Festival.

From the Publisher

Welcome to the Edmond

Arts Festival

It is with great amount of pleasure to welcome all visitors to our Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. Thanks to this festival and many other events that now take place in our beautiful downtown such as the Citizens Bank of Edmond Heard on Hurd, our Edmond downtown has continued to grow and prosper. In fact, if you have not been here since last year’s festival you will see many new businesses including wonderful places to eat. Just do not be a stranger in your own town and make sure you return with your family to enjoy our Saturday Edmond Farmers Market and so many other events.

Get ready to ride the wave of creativity as the 46th Downtown Edmond Arts Festival bursts into action from May 3rd to May 5th, 2024. Brought to you by the fabulous folks at the Downtown Edmond Business Association, this extravaganza guarantees a fusion of art, entertainment, and mouth-watering treats, ensuring there is a little something for everyone!

"We attract top talent from across the nation,” said Michelle Schaefer, Arts Festival Director. The proceeds help the downtown merchants pay for marketing that highlights the unique businesses in Downtown Edmond.

"This year we are excited to feature the work of Holly Glenn from Liberty Hills, TX, whose captivating painting ‘Flamingos’ will be featured in our print, outdoor and online advertising, as well as our festival t-shirts,” said Schaefer.

The streets of Downtown Edmond will be filled with 157 artists from fourteen additional states participating, showcasing their talents in oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, pottery and photography. Additionally, a dedicated section of First Street will spotlight Artisan crafters demonstrating their skills in leather, wood, resin, glass, metal and fabric. Over thirty artists are new to the show this year.

Beyond First Street, the Festival Marketplace is filled with engaging activities for all ages. From enchanting children’s activities featuring balloon animals, art projects and face painting to oversized games of chess, checkers and Legos. On the stage under the pavilion, you can listen to local choirs, dance groups and singers. Friday night at 7 pm Lucas Ross will perform with the Oklahoma Opry Band, and Saturday night will feature a concert by local favorites The Wise Guys. There are also three street corner musical venues featuring local singers such as Edgar Cruz and Blake Bricker.

No festival experience would be complete without enjoying your favorite treats, from classic "fair food” favorites from food trucks to offerings from local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops. Face it, the food is one of the main reasons we all go to festivals and this one does not disappoint folks. One of my favorites might surprise you. I always visit, at least once, Othello’s hot dog cart for a perfect hot dog and an ice-cold beer. Many of you might be saying, “all this great food and you get a hot dog.” First, they are exceptional and secondly my wonderful wife frowns on me eating hot dogs, so I get to sneak one while I am working at the

festival on Friday. I know I just gave myself up because she reads this column every week, but it is easier to ask forgiveness you know. Besides, with all the desserts available, a hot dog seems like a minor infraction.

You do not have to worry about finding a place to park either. There will be a free shuttle bus running from UCO to the venue throughout the festival. Visitors can park in lots on the west side of 1st and University to board the bus for a three-minute ride to Hurd and Littler, just a short walk to the festival.

The festival hours are 10 am to 8 pm on May 3 and 4, and 11 am to 5 pm on May 5. Edmond Life & Leisure is proud to have produced the official program again this year for the Arts Festival. We have done so for the last 20 years, and it has won associations awards for the last two. The program was in our newspaper last week so folks could plan for their time at the festival, but you can retrieve it from our website, www.edmondlifeandleisure.com. Just scroll to the end of our screen on your phone and you can click on the print replica of the program.

You will find maps, children’s activities, a list of artists and their booth numbers, food booths and a sponsor list. I hope you will thank the sponsors for this year’s festival. Without the help and support of these sponsors, it would not be possible to put on these festivals. You should also know that all the workers are volunteering their time as well. Edmond has a good volunteer base, and this is what makes most of these events free to the public. So please, patronize and thank all the businesses that sponsor.

Second knee replacement

Three years after my right knee replacement from a hiking injury, it was time to replace the left knee. I now have two bionic knees. I was out three weeks and want to thank my staff for taking up the slack although I will be the first to tell you my role in putting out the paper is minimal. They do

all the work each week. I also want to thank the head of Visit Edmond, Jennifer Thornton, for helping me out with my column space. She is a treasure for Edmond and always willing to help a friend in need. Thank you, Jennifer!

My first knee replacement went great, so I did not expect such a great experience with the second one. I just did not think it could have gone any smoother, but it did. Folks with any joint replacement get the best and for knees and hips it is Dr. Corey Ponder. It will take you a while to get in and to schedule the surgery, but it is well worth the wait. I believe he is in the top 1% in the world for robotic knee replacement and I believe it. He has an aggressive PT program for you once you are home but if you follow it, you are back up and around with very little pain. This doctor and his team are the best in town and my advice is to use them. I would not have trusted anyone else with my knees.

After being home for three weeks, I can tell you retirement is not in my future anytime soon. My day consisted of ice on my knee, PT, elevation, walking and more ice, repeat. I was allowed to eat in between but the rest of my time was reading or watching what goes on in our neighborhood all day. I even got to know my neighbor’s schedules. We do not live around exciting folks. Forget about daytime television. Just because we have like six hundred stations to pick from does not mean there is anything to watch.

It will come as no surprise to those of you who know my bride, Lisa, that she spoiled me all day, every day. She has so much to do for her kids, grandchildren and her mother yet she made sure I was well fed, comfortable and did my PT. She never complained and woke up with a smile every morning. I so out kicked my punt coverage when God brought this incredible woman into my life.

I am back in the saddle and will see you at the Edmond Arts Festival

(Ray Hibbard may be reached for comment at ray@edmondpaper.com.)