A fiddling contest, live entertainment, food, and a jam session are just few of the activities planned during Vian's Red Fern Festival set from June 14 through 17.

Suzanne Sullivan, event coordinator, said the festival is a community-wide effort sponsored by the town, Vian Chamber of Commerce, and the Vian Community Charitable Trust.

"It will be lots of fun for everybody," she said.

To help kick off the festival, a parade is planned June 14. the parade used to be the Haraway Rodeo parade, but this year it is being called the Red Fern Festival parade, which will include the rodeo parade.

The parade is a prelude to the rodeo, which will start at 8 p.m. each night from June 14 through 16, Sullivan said.

JUNE 15

On June 15, Sullivan said they hope to have food vendors at the downtown city park, as well as live entertainment downtown. Featured entertainers are the bands Cold Shot, at 7 p.m., and Red Dirt Rangers at 9 p.m. Sullivan said during both performances, a street dance will be held.

She said at some point on June 15 they also hope to have a group of dancers from Guymon perform.

JUNE 16

On June 16, the husband and wife duo, Call of the West, will perform from 10 a.m. to noon downtown, Chantri Harper will perform from noon to 1 p.m. downtown, and a fiddling contest will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. The contest was previously set downtown, but Sullivan said she thinks it might be held at the school auditorium. Prizes for the contest range from $250 for first place, $150 for second place, and $50 for third place.

For more information about the fiddling contest, call Jerry Johnson at (918) 773-5486 or Jerald Ritter at (918) 773-5488.

Also on June 16, a jam session, which will be open to all musicians, will be start at 3 p.m. in the downtown park, followed by a mariachi band at 5 p.m.

She noted that Steve Owens, host of the "Oklahoma Gardening" television show, will be in attendance June 16 for a book signing.

Sullivan said they also hope to have Native American dancers and drummers June 15 or 16.

"We're still trying to finalize things," Sullivan said.

Throughout the festival, various booths will be set up by artists and food vendors. She said food will include soul, Native American, barbecue and others.

JUNE 17

On June 17, which is Father's Day, Sullivan said they hope to sell signs, which residents may purchase in memory of someone, and then plant a tree. She said planting will be from 1 to 4 p.m., prior to the start of a 4:30 p.m. community-wide fish fry at Armstrong Park.

For the fish fry, they ask that men bring fish to fry and women bring a dish of some sort for a type of potluck fish dinner. She said if those attending don't bring something to eat, there will be a $5 charge to eat.

A ceremony and grand opening of the softball complex and walking trails will follow the fish fry.

Sullivan said they are also hoping to have a biggest fish contest, with weigh-in at the city lake at 4 p.m. She said there will be several categories. Anglers may catch the fish anywhere, but they must bring the fish in live for weigh-in.

Throughout the festival, T-shirts and Vian history books will be for sale.

Anyone interested in having a booth call Sullivan at (918) 773-7362 or Bill Lane or Sharon DiGennaro at town hall at (918) 773-8110.

Prior to the festival weekend, Sullivan said a one-day football camp with several professional football players on June 7 is being planned, as well as a golfing with the pros day at Eastlake Hills on June 9.