Largest Ever Winery Turnout for Sunflower Festival

For two days beginning 7 p.m. Friday evening, June 5, 2009, Main St. in Guymon between Fourth and Sixth St. will be closed to make room for the many artists, wineries, musicians, food competitors and the community who have been invited out for Artist Incubation’s Sunflower Art, Food and Wine Festival.

This year marks the fourth time Guymon has held the festival and it has been growing each year it is presented. Nine wineries from around Oklahoma have already signed up to compete for the chance to call themselves the Best Oklahoma Wine. As the only official State Wine Competition, this will be the perfect opportunity to come out and sample what Oklahoma has to offer.

Friday night will feature live music by Bi-Polar Echo as well as pork burgers and beer. On Saturday, the main events begin starting with artist and vendor booths, a People’s Choice Food Competition as well as the official State Wine Championship. As the afternoon progresses the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art competitions will be judged and awarded. There will be $1,500 in prize money given away for three categories in wine; People’s Choice, Best Oklahoma Product and the State Wine Champion, $1,250 in prize money for the Food Competition; $250 for Best Appetizer, Best Meat Dish and Best Dessert and $500 for People’s Choice. There will also be a $500 purse for both the 2D and 3D Artist Competition.

This year will also include the first Artist Banner Auction for the area. Nineteen local artists have graciously donated their work and time in painting 20 Artists Banners to be auctioned off during the festival.

Saturday will also feature live music by Buffalo Fitz and the Red Dirt Rangers. Both bands are listed with on the Oklahoma Arts Council roster.

Tickets for the events are $15 per day or $20 for the weekend, which includes all the food, drinks, live music and voting privileges for the People’s Choice Food and Art Competitions. Kids’ tickets are $5 each. This festival is sponsored in part by Guymon Convention and Tourism and the Oklahoma Arts Council.