Smokin the Fort and LocalMotion appeal to all ages

Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Phoenix, Okla.
·3 min read

Sep. 26—Saturday festivities at LocalMotion and Smokin' the Fort appealed to people of all ages — even 2-year-olds.

At LocalMotion, held in Muskogee's Depot District, Jaxon Osborn dug and searched his way through a sandbox at Three Rivers Museum's Kids Treasure Hunt. When he dug up a trinket, he got to trade it in for a fidget popping toy.

While toddlers searched in a sandbox, older youngsters got to search museum grounds with metal detectors, said Gary Young with Three Forks Treasure Hunters Club and the Indian Territory Treasure Hunters Club.

"When they find tokens they get to come in and collect their prizes, then they get to come back later and do it again," Young said.

LocalMotion offered all sorts of healthy things to do around Depot Green.

Jan Philips of Strictly Fitness led aerobic dances with an added challenge. Participants wore resistance bands on their legs.

Gretchen Mudoga of Tulsa helped young Noelle Lanier of Muskogee pull a giant Ford truck along third street, with a little help from truck drivers.

Angel Tillman with the Muskogee County Health Department encouraged youngsters to learn bicycle and street safety at Traffic Garden.

LocalMotion visitors also found paintings, decorated totebags and other works of art.

Jason Moppin of Stilwell sold stringed instruments he made from cigar boxes, soda cans and other items. And, yes, he was able to play songs on them.

"I've been a musician all my life and I've always been building on and creating and working on my own instruments," he said as he tuned up a Padron cigar box guitar. "In 2020, the Lord opened up a few doors for me and this is where he put me. We stay busy, I sell more than I can build."

In Fort Gibson, 2-year-old Lux Whiteside waited in her stroller to sample barbecue offered at Smokin' The Fort. The girl's mother, Rebecca Whiteside of Muskogee, said bologna and pulled pork are her favorites.

People had plenty more to savor on Saturday. Competing cooks served barbecue brisket, ribs, chicken and other offerings.

William Thornton of Wagoner said bologna and pulled pork are his favorite barbecue dishes. When asked where he found the best pulled pork, Thornton pointed to three tents on Poplar Streets.

"They're all firemen," he said.

Firefighters from Fort Gibson, Norwood and Okay competed in the Battle of the Badges to determine who had the winning barbecue.

Pulled pork seemed to be a heated competition.

Okay Fire Department Chaplain Gary McElmurry used gloved hands and large forks to mix his pork.

"We make our own rubs," McElmurry said. "Our rubs are homemade from scratch. I can't tell you a couple of ingredients, but it's a sweet, spicy brown sugar and smoked paprika base. It has a few things to give it a little bit of a kick."

Fort Gibson firefighter Chris Brassfield claimed their pulled pork doesn't need any sauce, "because it's made with love and time."

"I mean it's just the best ever," he said.

Norwood Fire Captain Todd Fritsche offered no secrets to why their pulled pork is the best of the badges.

"Once you taste it, you tell me," he said. "Anything else need said?"