Chickasaw Country announces award finalists

Chickasaw Country, Okla. – Chickasaw Country announces its 2024 finalists for the Best of Chickasaw Country awards.

The competition now shifts to the second phase, where fans are encouraged to vote for the top nominations in 17 categories of businesses, attractions, restaurants and events in south-central Oklahoma. The top five destinations in each category with the most nominations advanced to the voting and finalist phase. This year’s finalists are:

Best Antique Shop

Auntie Mae’s Antiques, Purcell Hello Again, Sulphur Junk Stars, Tishomingo The Gettin’ Place, Sulphur The re-Finery, Ada Best Attraction Blue River, Tishomingo Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur Ole Red Restaurant, Gift Shop and Doghouse, Tishomingo Turner Falls Park, Davis

Best BBQ

Allisa’s Kitchen BBQ & Grill, Wynnewood Pigskins BBQ, Ada Punkins BBQ & Catfish Restaurant, Pauls Valley Smokin Joe’s Rib Ranch, Davis Swadley’sBar-B-Q,Ardmore

Best Boutique

3rd & Broadway, Sulphur Home Décor & More, Tishomingo Kedford Boutique, Tishomingo Pamper Me Boutique, Sulphur The White Feather, Pauls Valley

Best Casino

Artesian Casino, Sulphur Chisholm Trail Casino, Duncan Riverwind Casino, Norman Treasure Valley Casino, Davis WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville

Best Coffee Shop

Arbuckle Craft Coffee, Ada Bedre’ Cafe, Sulphur Greg’s Rockin’ Goat Coffee, Kingston Latte’ Da Coffee House, Tishomingo Iron Wolf Coffee House, Davis

Best Family-Friendly Attraction Blue River, Tishomingo Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur Lazer Zone, Ada Turner Falls Park, Davis

Best Festival

Artesian Arts Festival, Sulphur Chickasaw Annual Festival, Tishomingo National Sand Bass Festival, Madill Okie Noodling Tournament & Festival, Pauls Valley Red, White and Boom, Tishomingo

Best Golf Course

Lake Murray Golf Course, Ardmore Pauls Valley Municipal Golf Course, Pauls Valley Sulphur Hill Golf Course, Sulphur Tishomingo Golf Course, Tishomingo WinStar Golf Club, Thackerville

Best Lake

Lake Murray, Ardmore Lake of the Arbuckles, Sulphur Lake Texoma, Kingston Purcell Lake, Purcell Veterans Lake, Sulphur

Best Live Performance Venue Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville McSwain Theatre, Ada Riverbottom Bar & Entertainment Venue, Davis Showplace Theatre at Riverwind Casino, Norman The Doghouse at Old Red, Tishomingo

Best Lodging

Cedar & Stone Bed and Breakfast, Tishomingo Inn at Mulberry, Tishomingo Secret Garden Cottages, Sulphur The Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa, Sulphur The Lodges at Fossil Creek, Kingston

Best Museum

Chickasaw Bank Museum, Tishomingo Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Duncan GreaterSouthwestHistorical Museum, Ardmore The Toy & Action Figure Museum, Pauls Valley Best Overall Dining

Café Alley, Ardmore Gonzalez Mexican Restaurant, Tishomingo Ole Red, Tishomingo Punkins BBQ & Catfish Restaurant, Pauls Valley Springs at The Artesian, Sulphur

Best Run or Ride

Bison View 5K, Sulphur FireFly Run, Tishomingo H.O.O.T. (Hills of Oklahoma Bike Tour), Davis Rock Island Ride, Chickasha Stevy’s Run, Tishomingo

Best Wedding Venue Elegant Events & Weddings (FormerlyknownasArbuckle Chapel), Davis The Grand Canadian Theater, Purcell The Ponds at Mable Farms, Ardmore The Springs Wedding and Event Venues, Blanchard The Wildflower, Tishomingo

Best Winery/Brewery B & G Meadery, Stonewall Kochendorfer Brewing Co., Duncan Old Silo Winery, Tishomingo Rusty Nail Winery and Tasting Room, Sulphur ShakespeareWineCompany, Chickasha “Thank you to the locals and visitors who nominated these finalists for the Best of Chickasaw Country,” said Paige Shepherd, Chickasaw Nation Director of Tourism. “These businesses represent the best-of-the-best in southcentral Oklahoma,asseenby their customers and clients. Tomakeittothevotingphase is a tremendous honor for them all.”

The public has until February 29 to vote for their favorite finalists. Visit here or www.chickasawcountry. com to vote. Votes can be made daily until the end of the day on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Winners in each category will be announced on March 26.

About Chickasaw Country

Nestled in the southcentral region of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Country is a regional tourism organization representing 13 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. A division of the Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw Country is a tourism resource for visitors and communities in the region, promoting local attractions, experiences and events. South-central Oklahoma is an easy, versatile, friendly and beautiful escape packed with First American and Western culture, outdoor recreation, local dining, breathtaking landscapes and one-of-a-kind festivals. For adventure-seekers, cultural lovers and everything in between, Chickasaw Country is uniquely positioned as a go-to, spur of the moment, easy-to-get-to, ever-changing vacation, for a day, a weekend, a week or longer.