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Celebrities Nationwide Gathering in Oklahoma for 100th Anniversary...

Oklahoma celebrities from the big screen, Olympics, aeronautics and Miss America pageants are returning to Oklahoma this weekend to participate in the state's grandest parade in history. The Oklahoma Centennial Parade on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2:00 p.m. (Central) celebrates the 46th state's 100th year of statehood.

Joining multi-Emmy Award actor James Garner, who is serving as the Oklahoma Centennial Parade Grand Marshal, are Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller; three Heisman Trophy winners Steve Owens, Billy Sims and Jason White; four astronauts Owen Garriott, John Herrington, William Pogue and Thomas Stafford; New York Yankees All Star Bobby Murcer and former Cincinnati Reds "All Century" catcher Johnny Bench; and five living Miss Americas - Jane Jayroe Gamble (1968), Susan Powell (1980), Shawntel Smith Wuerch (1996), Jennifer Berry Gooden (2006) and Lauren Nelson (2007).

The Oklahoma Centennial Parade centers around the theme, "Celebrate Oklahoma! A Unique History. An Extraordinary Future." The large-scale parade will fill downtown Oklahoma City with professionally-designed magnificent floats as long as 60 ft, giant helium-filled balloons of state icons and children's favorite characters as tall as 45 feet, plus the Oklahoma All*Star Centennial Band and American Spirit Dance group who performed the opening show at the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade.

"The parade is a grand celebration of Oklahoma and the many contributions the state has made to agriculture, energy, aviation, sports, science, and of course, entertainment," said Oklahoma Centennial Commission Executive Director Blake Wade.

The Oklahoma Centennial Parade has ten exciting Oklahoma-themed elements, each focusing on a different aspect of state culture: A Unique History - An Extraordinary Future, American Indian, Black Gold, Oklahoma Rising, Growin' Strong, State of the Arts, Building Minds, Country Music Capitol, Home of Champions, Cutting Edge and America's Heartland.

Also, the Centennial Parade will highlight the state's diverse heritage with appearances by American Indian drummers, fancy dancers and shawl dancers, Miss Black Oklahoma, Miss Black Oklahoma USA and the Norahua-Mexican Folkloric Group.

The Centennial Parade also includes 3,400 participants and 800 volunteers. For more information, visit www.okcentennialparade.com.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Dennis-Smith

405.516.9686

405.412.2540

Jennifer @ JonesPRInc.com

JonesPRINC.com

Broadcast Note: Satellite Coordinates Available

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