Red, White and Blues in the Park

post by Muriel Fahrion
photo by Lisa Roberts

Repairs are being made, sidewalks power washed, vegetation trimmed back, making ready for the big 4th of July celebration. Medicine Park on it’s 101st birthday is acting like the kid it’s always been. On tap will be great music, this year’s headliner is nationally recognized, Curtis Salgado, blues artist. Back by popular demand are two hometown favorites: Blueprint (blues and rock) and the JuJu Beans (Rockabilly, blues) Lawton, Ok. Medicine Park Marauders have loaded their guns and have put together a 3 act production with an explosive ending. The Short Branch Saloon concession proceeds benefits Medicine Park street theatre and arts. And it wouldn’t be the 4th without Charley Wright and the Great Rubber Ducky race. Chance Mc Quacken the 8 foot mascot will be there as well. Proceeds go to help Medicine Park events and services. Stop by the Fire Department and get yourself a hot dog or hamburger with all the fixin’s for a donation. And of course fireworks!

FYI: Click on band names to go to their site to hear a sample of the music.

And can you believe it is still free! Many man and woman volunteer hours have gone into preparing for the event. Come celebrate with us.

• 11:30 a.m (starting at).... Hot Dogs & hamburger, Medicine Park Volunteer Fire Dept (donation)
• 12:30 p.m.... Marauders Shootout, Act 1
• 1:30 p.m..... Marauders Shootout, Act 2
• 2:00 - 3:30 p.m...... Live Music of Blue Print, Old General Store (adjacent to the Old Plantation)
• 4:00 p.m. ... Marauders Shootout, Conclusion
• 5:30 p.m. ....Duck Race / Awards to Winners
• 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Live Music of Curtis Salgado, Apache Inn (across from the Park Tavern)
• Fireworks Show
• Live Music with Juju Beans, Apache Inn following Fireworks

Medicine Park Welcomes Time Travellers

post by Muriel Fahrion

Walking over the bridge I pass a man peering into Medicine Creek as if it were a mirror reflecting back to earlier days when he fished along the shore, jumped off diving rock and zoomed down the toboggan slide into the cool of Bath Lake. Medicine Park is more then a weekend retreat for many folks it is a step back in time.


Recently I received a most pleasant email from Bob, one of those time travelers. He had been stationed at Ft. Sill for 9 weeks of artillery training in 1967. Bob and his young bride Susan took up residence in the Green Leaf cottage. That’s right, one of the renovated group known as the Green Leaf Cabins now renting in the Park. Back then a it was more on the rustic side but it served them sufficiently for them and loved the setting. He sent some slice of life photos of he and his wife back then. He kindly gave me permission to share them with our readers.


I was pleased to inform him that the Green Leaf Cabins and like many of Medicine Park historic cottages and cabins still welcome folks for weekends and more extended stays.

Unlike some places from our past where we return to only to be a little let down, most find that Medicine Park’s beauty has not faded and it continues to beckon you to come play.



Note for you car buffs Susan and Bob no longer own the 1965 Mustang but wish they did.

Thanks Bob and Susan come back and see us!

Sculpture in the Park: Robert Dean's Vision

The first thing most people notice in Medicine Park is usually the Creek with Mt. Scott in the backdrop, then the cobblestone buildings including the Old Plantation. And then you start noticing the amazing sculptures that dot the Medicine Park landscape. Many of the pieces have a familiar feel about it. And well they should. They are the creations of one, Robert Dean, our sculptor in residence, whose work has found it way into private collections as well as purchased for museum collections. He manages to capture the nature and essence of each animal he sculpts which is extraordinary considering he constructs in metal, a seemingly not very pliable. The first creature to grace Medicine Park was the Bison in front of the Music Hall. Robert Dean offered at a fraction of what it was worth in order to keep it in the Park, a place he loves. The then Music Hall owner, Jeannie Clinton (an artist in her own right) bought it. Robert Dean continued to offer residents the opportunity to commission a sculptural piece to grace their land at a special “Medicine Park” price. It is his vision to showcase his work in a Sculpture Park, Medicine Park. And for that we all benefit.

Stroll through the Park and give yourself a visual treat there are no less than 16 sculptures created by Robert Dean all owned privately and yet visible from the sidewalk or road. Please keep in mind that all are on private property and they are for your visual delight, please respect the residents property and do not walk on their land or touch the art work.

Robert continues to do commissions. Robert meets with his client and follows up with sketches. I have been envisioning a possible piece for my home. I know that there is an animal you would love to him create for you. Contact Robert Dean.

I have included a map with a key to the sculpture, click here.

Robert Dean Sculptures in Medicine Park:
post by Muriel Fahrion, photos by Muriel & Michael Fahrion

The Red Dirt Ball Rides into the Sunset

post by Muriel Fahrion, photos Kim Fahrion, Lulabelles



First ever Mayor's Red Dirt Ball struck a great cord with the crowd. Mayor Dwight Cope's vision it is about bringing live music to the Park and keeping the Park a people welcoming, family friendly place. Friday night we (as Marauders) got to listen to the bands but Saturday we and our Marauder sidekicks spent our time at the Short Branch Saloon selling beer to support our acting troupe. We sent our daughter (Tulsa Kim) out to capture some impressions of the goings on.

She snapped musicians, music appreciators, flower girls from a wedding, swimmers, arts & crafts booths, face painters, shoppers, barbeque at the firehouse and folks enjoying beers and general merriment. And thanks to Lulabelles photos we can show even more.

If you made it I'll bet you'll be back for the Mayor's Blues Ball. If you missed it (I'm sorry) but make sure you don't miss the Blue's Ball Labor Day weekend or for that matter the 4th of July birthday bash.