The Alva Tourism Committee approved two funding requests and decided to give a lesser amount for a third Wednesday, Nov. 15. Norville Ritter chaired the meeting, which was attended by committee members Charles Tucker, Terri Parsons and Bryce Benson. Jaunita Dotson was absent.

After approving the minutes of the Oct. 4 special meeting, the committee discussed and voted to approve the September and October financial statements. After deducting funds already encumbered, the committee has $552,947.50 available.

Alex Mantz and Joe Don Dunham spoke on behalf of the City of Alva and the Alva Chamber. Alva has put in a bid to host the Oklahoma Municipal League Leadership Class for Dec. 7 and 8. The class is made up of 25 city leaders and volunteers from all over the state. During the year they have visited communities all over the state to learn about community leadership, community assessment, collaboration and consensus building.

Mantz said the class will arrive on Thursday, Dec. 7, for a tour of the Cherokee Strip Museum. A catered dinner will follow in the Cherokee Strip Museum annex with the NWOSU University Singers providing entertainment. Friday’s breakfast will be in the meeting room at Northwest Technology Center with classes to be held in that location. A catered lunch will be held at the Runnymede Hotel downtown followed by a walking tour with a stop at Holder Drug for Jack and Jill sundaes. John Ryerson will take the group on a tour of the renovated Bell Hotel. The class will then return to Northwest Technology.

Both Dunham and Mantz described their learning experiences attending earlier leadership classes. The $2,150 requested would pay for the catered meals and snacks, marketing materials, the Runnymede rental and the museum annex rental. The request was unanimously approved.

The second request was presented by the Alva Fire Department. They asked for $15,000 to complete updating the fire training facility. A separate story covers that information. The funding was approved.

Jim Jacobs and Kyle Jacobs presented the final request. The men were asking for $15,000 for the Southwest Country Fest to be held at the Woods County Fairgrounds Aug. 24-25, 2018.

In earlier years the event was held at Ashland, Kansas. The past couple of years, it was held at Hardtner, Kansas. The men said they decided to move the music festival to Alva for the larger population base and better facilities. They are hoping to attract at least 2,000 people to the event but would like to draw even more.

The men said the type of music featured is described as “country red dirt.” They have already booked Aaron Watson, one of the most popular red dirt musicians, and Wade Bowen as their top entertainers.

The outdoor event would be located outdoors between the arena and the race track area at the fairgrounds. Friday night will feature a battle of the bands with the concert to be held Saturday night.

The men said last year, the concert was on the same weekend as the Freedom Rodeo, which hurt their attendance. They have moved it to a week earlier, although it will be the same weekend as the rodeo at Cherokee.

After some discussion, the committee members decided to approve a reduced amount. Parsons made a motion to provide $5,000 toward booking the music acts for the concert. Benson seconded, and the motion carried.

A video of the meeting may be viewed at http://www.AlvaReviewCourier.com.