Kiowa's 44th Pioneer Days to remember 125th Anniversary of Land Run of 1893

As a Kansas town bordering Oklahoma, Kiowa was one of the starting points of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. Like other border towns, Kiowa had days of celebrations for the centennial in 1993.

It’s hard to fathom that another 25 years has passed and 2018 marks the 125th Anniversary of the Land Run.

On Sept. 16, 1893, some 100,000 people raced to claim six million acres of land in former Indian Territory in Oklahoma. On that very first day historians report that 40,000 homesteads were claimed. The New York Times had billed the Land Run of 1893 as the “greatest real estate deal of the century.”

Kiowa plans their 44th Pioneer Days the weekend of April 20-22. De Coyle compiled many fun facts about the early days of Kiowa from the books of the late Kiowa historian Jean Brown. Coyle made posters with the fun facts and is displaying them around town.

Donna Williams is writing a script with those tidbits of info for the Pioneer Skit. She promises the skit will incorporate an influence from the Land Run of 1893. The skit is “The Beginnings of Kiowa Shared in Fun Facts.”

The Pioneer Days Parade starts at 11 a.m., followed by the skit. The Barber County Firewagons (Shriners) will have concessions for sale featuring roasted corn, pulled pork, hamburgers and hot dogs downtown during the festivities. They’ll also have concessions at Miller’s Arena on the southeast end of Kiowa for the rodeo events Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Get your Land Run certificate replica from Coyle who will be set up at the corner of 7th and Main.

Pioneer Days starts Friday evening in Progress Park when the Methodist Men grill hamburgers. Watch for musical entertainment from John Miller for whom Pioneer Days began with a surprise roping for his birthday by his wife Bev. He’s calling his group “The Pioneer Band.” Steve Mindemann and Gene Winter join him with their guitars and voices.

Start Saturday with a hearty Pioneer Breakfast at the Masonic Lodge Hall from 6 to 10 a.m. Go by the Chief Theater for the Historical Society’s Bake Sale at 9:30. Tour Kiowa’s Historical Musuem.

The Model Horse Show where youth and adults can decorate their model horses for judging is at the Senior Citizen Center. Check it out in the morning because judging will conclude about noon.

The steer wrestling begins at 1 p.m. Saturday. Miller said two-time World Champion Stan Williamson will be there as will Ote Berry and his son. Entry is 3 for $200 in this jackpot event. Miller said a custom-made belt buckle will go to the winner of the wrestling.

The team roping starts about noon Sunday. Miller said entry is 3 for $40.