posted 10/29/10
Photos and dialogue submitted independently by Jim, W5JCS and Joseph, WA5FLT
It was a rainy October morning in southern Oklahoma, just across the Texas line, when the oldest hamfest in the southwest met once again. A number of IOOK'er's traveled from Valley Mills, TX, Lorena, TX, Calumet, OK, Norman, OK, and Stillwater, OK to Ardmore, OK for this traditional hamfest gathering.
The Ardmore Convention Center
The Ardmore Convention Center is new and very nice. Ardmore is a city of 23,000, however, it is the county seat of Carter County which is one of the old oil rich counties in Oklahoma. They say that half of the Allies petroleum's needs in World War I was supplied by Carter County. People there are very community minded and that is why they saw fit to build such a nice convention center.
Chief Joseph, WA5FLT and Hoss, WA5ZAI
The flea market...
The hamfest is named Texoma after the Lake where the hamfest was held for many years. The lake is on the border between Texas and Oklahoma, thus Texoma. The Lodge has been sold and is being turned into a casino by the Chickasaws. The new Ardmore location is conveniently located between Dallas and Oklahoma City.
Hoss is thinking about making a purchase...
Jim, W5JCS and Neil, N5KCO
Dan, K5FVL
Jim, W5JCs taking a picture...
Teaching the IOOK'ers gang signs...
Mike, N5MS and Hoss, WA5ZAI
Mike, N5MS and Dan, K5FVL
Ron, AA5RT and Hoss, WA5ZAI
Mike, N5MS turns away after a bad joke as Ron, AA5RY and
Joseph, WA5FLT look on...
After the flea market concluded about 1 p.m., Hoss and Ron of the IOOKer's returned to pick up XYL's at the huge Chickasaw Casino and others ate wonderful BBQ at the Blue Pig which is next to the famous Two-Frogs restaurant and club.
As Oklahoma hams headed north the rain stopped 75 miles north of Ardmore on I-35 and the WX was nice driving on into Oklahoma City.
All agreed it was a fun gathering.
I am realizing that these hamfest are a reunion of friends that have known each other for decades and shared the thrill of this dynamic hobby. A hamfest is a time that close friends from widely spaced, often several states away, come together .
Respectfully submitted by Jim, W5JCS
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posted 11/7/10
Northwest Oklahoma's Little Big Hamfest. The Enid
Hamfest is free with a $2 donation accepted. Donuts and coffee are free
all morning followed by free hot dogs and chili near noon.
Enid Hamfest is held in northwest Oklahoma on the
prairie. Enid is known as the wheat capital as it has many huge grain
elevators.
The Enid Hamfest Group dates back 22 years.. It was originally started by Fred WA5OU, Dick NJ5S(sk), and Tom N5LWT (not to mention their families). The idea was to give an enjoyable and Affordable Hamfest. The Coordinators of the Enid Hamfest work each and every year to keep the entry fee, door prizes tickets, table, and lunch prices at a minimum.
Over all view of the flea market
WA5FLT says "the big guy in the coat is Craig Wright -
NX5O, a classmate of Al- AE5CJ and Joe- WA5FLT when we upgraded."
IOOKer's attending - Jim, W5JCS; Al, AE5CJ; Joesph, WA5FLT;
and Neil, N5KCO
(We hear through the grapevine that Aaron, AD5JK attended as well but Jim, W5JCS did not get to see him)
Joe, WA5FLT talks with former Section Manager Dean KL7MA
and Lloyd, KE5RXO
The line for free hot dogs
Good-bye Enid for another year.
To this date the suggested entry fee has only been raised once from $1.00 to $2.00. And you can’t beat the prices charged in the kitchen! FREE! The Enid Hamfest is one of those events you can attend and still have enough money after getting in the door to get your new equipment.
Respectfully submitted by Jim, W5JCS
