By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
EL RENO – Wine, beer and barbecue aficionados are in for a real treat at an upcoming special event hosted by a busy Canadian County venue.
The Canadian County Expo & Event Center, 3001 Jensen Road E, is preparing to present the second annual Oklahoma Wine Brew & BBQ Festival and Competition.
Festivities will be noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 inside the center’s climate-controlled arena.
“We’re getting more vendors by the day,” said Mandy Davis, executive director of the Canadian County Expo & Event Center. “Vendor cut-off is Friday, Nov. 3.”
Vendor booth fees, ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit the cause.
“All the proceeds will be divided among the four chambers of commerce in Canadian County – that’s Yukon, El Reno, Piedmont, and Mustang,” Davis pointed out.
Attendees will sample wines, beers and barbecue while enjoying music, shopping and a tailgate area to watch Oklahoma football.
“We’ll have a dozen barbecue contestants, more than a dozen wineries and breweries, and three distilleries,” Davis said. “We’ll have more than 50 vendors in all.
“It will be a really great day.”
There will be contests for the best wine, brew and barbecue.
Volunteers have been recruited among the event sponsors to serve as judges. They have a challenging task ahead.
Five hours of live entertainment will feature Jason Young, Hunter Thomas, MC Stewart, and the Smokin’ Oaks Band.
The 2023 OK Wine Brew & BBQ Festival falls on a special holiday – Veterans Day.
“Any veteran who shows their ID at the door will receive a free, all-access pass,” Davis said. “If you or your loved one served your country, make sure to come out and enjoy the day.”
A FUN ATMOSPHERE
This Wine Brew & BBQ Fest is back by popular demand after the success of last year’s inaugural event.
“It’s great to have all four of our Canadian County chambers come together to create a fun atmosphere,” Davis said.
“We’re excited to have everybody out on November 11.”
Tickets are on sale – $30 for an all-access pass, $20 to taste the barbecue and $10 for general admission. There will be food trucks and vendors selling other foods and snacks.
And those who don’t drink beer and wine will enjoy root beer and other soft drinks.
The Canadian County Expo & Event Center is booked nearly every weekend, drawing many thousands of visitors from across Oklahoma and other states.
On the same weekend as the OK Wine Brew & BBQ Fest, Canadian County’s $20 million facility will host a Christmas Expo. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11-12.
For more information, visit canadiancountyexpo.org, email canadiancountyexpo.org or call (405) 422-5400.
