STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 9
Find activities close to home.
I
f you want to get out of the house but don’ t want to leave town, how about spending a day within Stillwater’ s city limits? You may find that a Stillwater staycation is just what’ s needed.
The Block 34 sign beside the Simmons Bank Pavilion at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Husband Street( Jessica Marshall, Stillwater News Press)
Here are a handful of stops around town that offer a break from the normal.
DOWNTOWN STILLWATER
In the downtown Stillwater area, guests can eat, shop and play with a wide array of restaurants, shops and places to unwind. The Downtown Stillwater Association provides a plethora of opportunities for guests and residents alike to attend, including Third Friday Downtown throughout the year – or you can plan for other days throughout the year, including Krazy Daze( July), Octoberfest, Halloween Festival( Tuesday before Halloween), Downtown Holiday Street Vendors and Holiday Open House( weekend before Thanksgiving) and the Holiday Parade of Lights( first Thursday of December).
A full listing of downtown restaurants and stores may be found at downtownstillwater. org.
BLOCK 34
Once it was a lumberyard. At one point, a jail sat on the property.
Now it’ s downtown Stillwater’ s newest open park and recreational space, and what Mayor Will Joyce called“ a centralized gathering place.”
The family-friendly space features the Kicker Sound Stage, Simmons Bank Pavilion, Block 34 Green, Kids Corner with an inclusive natural playground, music play area and an interactive water feature, the Musician’ s Walk highlighting both Stillwater and Oklahoma musicians, Westside Gardens featuring sustainable Oklahoma landscaping, drinking fountain and bike rack, beer garden and picnic tables, three digital screens and a mobile vendors’ area.
The Stillwater Community Foundation provides live shows and events at the Block, including a live music series with a lineup of regional and national talent from a variety of genres such as Americana, bluegrass, funk and rock, along with singer-songwriter showcases.
Inspired by a Block 34 donor, Market 34 is held from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. every Saturday from August through October, offering crafts, food, baked goods, coffee and made-in-Oklahoma products from vendors across the state.
The Block also offers wellness events at the Simmons Bank Pavilion in collaboration with Anna Moore and Sweat Yoga and Fitness, with classes such as“ Sunrise Yoga”( Wednesdays),“ Pilates in the Park” and an 8-week“ Midweek Mindfulness Series” offered Tuesdays and Thursdays.
STILLWATER HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE SHEERAR
From a handful of buttons that belonged to Mrs. Leonard Sheerar, an entire museum formed.
Since that 80-pound collection of buttons in nearly every color, shape and size was collected, the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar Cultural Center has been collecting and preserving the history of greater Stillwater for 50 years. Tucked away inside its walls are storage spaces filled with clothing dating from the 19th century, furniture, textiles, and more.
Mrs. Leonard Sheerar’ s button collection inspired one of the museum’ s popular exhibits called“ Stillwater Collects,” which is rotated every three months and features collections by Stillwater hobbyists.
The original building was constructed for the congregation of the First Church of Christ, Scientist – called the first such congre-
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 9