Holy Smokers win fifth-straight at Chillin & Grillin, Harper's Hut gives away 400+ snow cones

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce put on their annual Chillin' and Grillin' Festival this past weekend, and if you didn't make it then you sure missed out!

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java gave out more than 400 free snow cones throughout the event, including signature favorites such as Harry Potter Butterbeer and Volcano. 

Jambo Pits was named Grand Champion of the event by the Kansas City Barbecue Society with Okie Q BBQ coming in as Reserve Champion.

Jambo Pits took first place in brisket, Moving the Chains BBQ took first in pork, Buffalo's BBQ took first in pork ribs, and Fatt Mikes took first place in chicken.

Church That Matters' Holy Smokers won their fifth consecutive People's Choice Award. Light My Fire BBQ won the "Anything But" competition.

This year included a baking competition with two categories and two division. Katie Gonzales won the Student division in Cookies. Jacie Taber and Cameron Clemons won the Student Pies category. Andrea Brice won Adult Cookies and Debra Bunch won Adult Pies. 

Charles Page High School graduate and blues musician Dylan Whitney was the entertainment for the evening, along with the Charles Sisters.

Senator Dan Newberry was on the scene to present awards and publicize his upcoming re-election campaign. Sand Springs's own Josh Turley was also campaigning at the event. Turley is running for the position of County Commissioner. 

The full Sandite Pride gallery from the event is now available at https://sanditepride.smugmug.com/Community-Events/2016-Chillin-and-Grillin/

27th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair is this Saturday, April 16th

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Photo by: Morgan Miller

Sand Springs, OK- The City of Sand Springs hopes you will join us on Saturday, April 16th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the 27th annual event. More than 100 vendors will be on site selling herbs, perennials, natives and heirloom plants, along with herbal products, gardening supplies, outdoor décor and so much more.

“Each year this event grows,” says Kasey St. John, Marketing Manager for the City of Sand Springs. “What started as a downtown street sale now has 105 vendors offering a variety of local and unique products.”

This year’s festival features many of the same vendors that keep visitors coming back but also includes several additional areas:

Kid Zone

Sponsored by The Church That Matters, the Kid’s Zone features interactive and educational activities that are fun for the whole family plus, a special entertainment stage with local performances by Miss Tirita’s dance students. All free of charge!

Basil Street Theater

8:30-9:30 a.m. Casey and Minna
9:30-10:30 a.m. CBMS Jazz Band
10:30- Noon. Spring Street
Noon-12:30 p.m. Hometown Hero Presentation
12:30-2:00 p.m. Janet Rutland Trio
2:00-3:00 p.m. Seven Feathers
3:00-4:00 p.m. Turtle Creek Cloggers

Wine Garden

Have a taste and sit a spell while in the Oklahoma Wine Garden located in the City Garden Park at Broadway and McKinley.

Food Trucks

Are you a foodie that enjoys the best of the Tulsa region’s food truck scene? Look no further than Herbal Affair. The food truck court features some of the area’s most popular food trucks with delights ranging from Mediterranean, Vietnamese fusion, desserts to traditional local fare.

Plant Sitters

Manned by local Catholic parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church, the Plant Sitters Booth will watch over your purchases free of charge while you explore the festival.

Free Shuttle Service

Park and ride the free shuttle service from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Charles Page High School located at Park and Adams Road, just two blocks north of the Adams Road exit from State Highway 412/64/51.

Maps and T-Shirts

Maps of the festival will be available at the welcome sings at festival entrances, as well as the Information Tent located at City Hall (corner of Broadway and McKinley.) T-shirts will be available at the Information Tent for $15.

Visit the Herbal Affair Web site for more information on this festival, www.herbalaffairandfestival.com. 

Mark your calendars for the 27th annual Herbal Affair

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Story and photo by: Morgan Miller, Executive Director

If you are from Sand Springs or one of the surrounding areas, chances are you have been to or at least have heard of the Herbal Affair. If you have not heard of this festival, it is an annual herb and garden event held in downtown Sand Springs. The city’s website states that “this event was founded in 1989 and began as a simple downtown street sale. Since then it has grown tremendously and now attracts over 25,000 people each year. It has also led to other communities hosting similar events, but remains the “queen” of herbal festivals.” This event consistently attracts people from all over the state, and even people from surrounding states as well.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Kasey St. John, the Marketing and Special Projects Manager for the city of Sand Springs. St. John has organized this special event for Sand Springs for the past two years. For most of its life, the Herbal Affair was actually run by a committee, but a few years ago it was adopted by The City of Sand Springs.

The Herbal Affair has a huge economic impact on Sand Springs. In fact, St. John mentioned that Riddle Plant farm claims the day as their biggest day of the year. With thousands of people being attracted to Sand Springs from out of town, it is bound to impact the economy in a big way. This event drums up business for Sand Springs’ shops in downtown, the hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.

Morgan’s Relax Packs are handcrafted heat packs designed for maximum muscle relief at affordable pricing.

About 25 to 40% of the vendors at the Herbal Affair are from the Sand Springs or Tulsa Metro area. While a little under half are from this specific area of the state, about 90% of the vendors are from Oklahoma. People know what they are going for when they go to the Herbal Affair. Almost all of the vendors are there year after year and that is one of the things that makes it so unique. The herbal affair has maintained a certain standard and character over the years and that, as well, is what makes it so incredibly special. When you go out to the Herbal Affair, you are truly supporting your friends and neighbors.

This event has something for just about everyone. Held in the heart of downtown Sand Springs, there are many unique shops and boutiques, like The Silver Linings Boutique which is on Broadway. The Herbal affair’s vendors don’t only sell plants and herbs, either. There are also craft vendors, as well as food and drink vendors. There will be entertainment for all ages, such as musical performances and a “Kid’s Zone” put on by volunteers from Church That Matters.

If you would like to attend this incredible event, it is being held this year on April 16th, from 9am-4pm, rain or shine! All of the information for the festival can be found at herbalaffairandfestival.com and also on the Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival Facebook page. 

The entertainment schedule for this year is as follows:

2016 Entertainment Schedule

8:30-9:30       Casey and Minna
9:30-10:30     Clyde Boyd Middle School Jazz Band
10:30-Noon   Spring Street
Noon-12:30   Hometown Hero Presentation
12:30-2:00    Janet Rutland Trio
2:00-3:00      Seven Feathers
3:00-4:00      Turtle Creek Clogger

Vendors at the event include community favorites such as: Whispering Vines Vineyards and Winery, Tomato Man, The Jelly Lady, Sugar Sisters, Sparks Vineyard, Rosemary's Kitchen, Riddle Plant Farm, Red Dirt Salsa, Pita Place Mediterranean Grill, Okie Dirt, Kountry Kitchen, and Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java. The complete list can be found on the city website.