News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | President Bush to Celebrate 4th of July in Woodward
George W. Bush accepted the invitation from Woodward to celebrate Independence Day in the Oklahoma town.
President Bush will help commencement of Crystal Beach Park.
The town has already begun to 'spruce up,' in preparation of the President's arrival.By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9
WOODWARD, Oklahoma -- Woodward announced Monday President George W. Bush will be the headliner for the town's 4th of July celebrations.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the event, and the town has been bustling about the President's upcoming appearance.
"He could be 100 different places other than Woodward, Oklahoma, but it's pretty neat," Woodward resident Johnny Evans said.
Other residents agreed and are looking forward to seeing G.W. Bush.
"I like it. I think it will help Woodward," resident Ann Hoohweiler said. "It will bring people to Woodward."
The town got confirmation that former president George W. Bush will be here to take part in the 4th of July celebrations.
"When the invitation was sent to President Bush's office and when the answer came back, when they called saying he had accepted, it was mind-boggling," said Landon Laubhan.
Laubhan helped book Bush, who will be in Woodward for independence day activities only. He will help with the opening of Crystal Beach Park which is undergoing $25 million in renovations, thanks to a sales tax approved by voters three years ago.
The last time a U.S. president made a visit to Woodward was in 1957, when President Dwight Eisenhower landed at the Woodward Airport.
Eisenhower was only in the town for a few hours and never came into the city.
The Bush visit is expected to draw a crowd of nearly 14,000 and hopefully pump money into the economy.
"We will attract people we expect from the Texas panhandle, the southwest corner of Kansas and from other areas" said Woodward Mayor Bill Fanning.
The people who live and work in the town are hoping to be the first in line for tickets.
"It's not every day in this part of the country that we get a president to even come," Evans said.
Mayor Fanning has already begun the town's preparations for their special guest.
"This is a good time for our citizens to start cleaning up, sprucing up," Fanning said. "Let's put our best foot forward."
Sawyer Brown and Tanya Tucker will also make appearances during the 4th of July celebrations.
Tickets go on sale June 1st.
Comments Terms of Use: Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. In addition, by submitting a comment, you recognize that your comment may be read or discussed on one or more television news broadcasts on NEWS 9 and you consent to any such use. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
Send your Gary's Hot Shots to Gary England for it to be selected to be seen on NEWS 9.
