By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
EL RENO – Fans of wine, beer, barbecue – and football – will come out next month to Canadian County’s spacious special event venue.
The Canadian County Expo & Event Center, 3001 Jensen Road E, is preparing to host its second annual Oklahoma Wine Brew & BBQ Festival and Competition.
“It’s going to be on Veterans Day this year,” Expo Center Director Mandy Davis said at the Oct. 12th Yukon Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon. “All the proceeds will be divided into the four chambers in Canadian County – that’s Yukon, El Reno, Piedmont, and Mustang.
“Every dollar that goes in – whether it’s from ticket sales or vendor booths or sponsorships – will be divided among those chambers.”
Attendees will sample wines, beers and barbecue while enjoying live music, shopping and a tailgate area to watch Oklahoma football.
The OK Wine Brew & BBQ Festival will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 inside the county’s $20 million expo facility.
“Our veterans will be receiving a free, all-access pass,” Davis said. “So, if you or your loved one served your country, make sure to come out and enjoy it.”
There will be contests for the best wine, brew and barbecue.
Judges are needed, according to Yukon Chamber Chief Executive Officer Pam Shelton.
“I will be calling you if you are interested in being a judge for barbecue, for wine and for beer,” Shelton told Yukon Chamber members. “Last year, we didn’t have enough judges.”
The 2023 Wine Brew & BBQ Festival is back by popular demand after the success of the inaugural event last year.
“It was so much fun,” Davis told Yukon business and community leaders.
Proceeds from the Nov. 11th OK Wine Beer & BBQ Fest benefit the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, El Reno Chamber of Commerce, Mustang Chamber of Commerce, and Piedmont Chamber of Commerce.
Vendors and contestants are being recruited.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Davis told the Yukon Chamber luncheon audience. “Come out and participate. Tickets are on sale.
“We’re excited to have everybody out this year.”
For more information, visit canadiancountyexpo.org, email davism@canadiancounty.org or call (405) 422-5400.
SHE ROCKS
In August, Canadian County Commissioners appointed Davis as the Expo & Event Center’s new director. She previously was the facility’s office manager and had been interim director since May.
Because of the commissioners’ selection, Yukon Chamber CEO Shelton said Davis is “making it rock even more.”
When she came to work at Canadian County’s new fairgrounds complex in mid-2021, Davis already had nearly 20 years of experience in the economic development and tourism industry.
Davis is a Canadian County native and Yukon High School graduate.
