National Veterans Flagpoles United Presents 2nd Annual Vet Fest

The not-for-profit organization NVFU is preparing for its 2nd annual Vet Fest; a free local gathering with a lot of American spirit!

Vet Fest will take place on Saturday, May 18, in downtown Garber from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. NVFU and the Garber community have prepared a myriad of activities for the public! Vendors and food trucks will be vending downtown as well.

Here are the major events for Vet Fest:

• Cornhole Tournament
  • Registration is 10:00 a.m.-noon and the tourney begins at 1 p.m.
  • Blind drawing, teams will be randomly assigned.
• Live Music
  • Tulsa’s hit 80’s tribute band Glam R Us will bring an authentic 80’s party-rock experience.
    • They will perform 2:30-4 p.m.
  • Hailing from Woodward OK, Trench Monkey will play the classic rock, metal, and blues.
    • They will perform from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
  • The high-energy tribute band Backstage Pass is going to shred guitars and bring you an arena-style 80s rock show.
    • Performing 7:00-10 p.m.
• Quilt Raffle
  • Have a chance to grab a hand-made quilt!
    • Put your name in the donation box; three will be available.
• Blood Drive
  • Our Blood Institute will have a blood drive from 1-4 p.m.
• Car & Bike Show
  • Bring your snazziest car or bike! Awards will be at 2:00 p.m. for best car and best bike.
• Kids Tractor Pedal Pull
  • Like tractor pulling, but for the tikes!
    • Pulling begins at 3:00 p.m.

Richard and Annette Riggins with National Veterans Flagpoles United recently had an interview with EnidLIVE! to give more insight on Vet Fest.

Richard began by talking about the vendors coming to this year’s Vet Fest

“We’ve got about 45-50 different vendors that have committed to being there this year,” Riggins said.” It’s Veteran’s Service Organizations, craft vendors, other service vendors, retail vendors…”

Annette enlightened us on the Tractor Pedal Pull.

“It is for ages 4-12 and the organization that’s going to bring that to us this year is called ‘First Class Pedal Pull,’ and we’re gonna have registration up until two o’clock,” Annette said. “They’re gonna have first through third place. Some of these kids will be qualified to go to the state tournament….”

Richard finished off by talking about the origins of Vet Fest.

“We wanted to put together a veterans recognition for a day. We went to the town fathers of Garber; we proposed it to them and they said it sounded like a good idea, and they let us have the town for the day,” Riggins said. “What we’re gonna do is block off main street at about eight o’clock so our vendors can come in and set up and then we’re gonna have our opening ceremony at about 10 o’clock. We’re gonna do a presentation to the City of Garber, replace the 4×6 flag they have in front of the city hall. A local girl is going to sing the national anthem….”