Dreaming With Your Eyes Wide Open

Jim Norick Arena, fondly referred to by many as the ‘Big House,’ is set to close its doors and begin rebuilding after 57 years of service to Oklahoma.

Originally constructed in 1965, the arena has hosted millions of head of livestock, as well as national and international equine and livestock shows, rodeos, and sporting events. The Oklahoma Youth Expo has called the Jim Norick Arena its home for decades and has hosted numerous spring livestock shows at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.

Throughout the years, the Jim Norick Arena has served as a space with abundant opportunities, a place where people can dream boldly and then make their dreams a reality. It has served as a starting point and an end. It has seen its share of joyous tears and those of heartbreak.

This Oklahoma staple has hosted young children, parents, and grandparents, uniting people and allowing them a place to gather together.

Whether it was seeing the OYE Grand Drive for the first time or being crowned a state champion title in Oklahoma basketball or wrestling, Jim Norick Arena has been the site of countless dreams, emotions and memories.

The old wooden chairs in the Jim Norick Arena truly have witnessed so many incredible memories.

It goes without saying that the Jim Norick Arena holds a special place in the hearts of many. While its structure may be coming down, the stories held within the walls of the coliseum and within the infamous old wooden seats are alive and well, never to be forgotten.

So, we offer a fond farewell to the Jim Norick Arena and eagerly await the hope and excitement of all that is to come. With a new arena comes new memories forged, new champions crowned, new endeavors pursued, and new stories to be told.

The Oklahoma Youth Expo is grateful for the Jim Norick Arena’s steadfast service to youth and adults across Oklahoma, serving as the main stage for those involved in the ‘World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show’. We look forward to many more years of a home that allows us to be The Greatest Show and dream with our eyes wide open.