Media

Oklahoma City, Okla.– As the Oklahoma City Zoo celebrates its 101st birthday and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum marks 50 years, northeast Oklahoma City is getting a facelift. The first district identification signs were hung Nov. 17 identifying the area at I-35 and I-44 as Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.

The seven attractions located in northeast Oklahoma City established the Adventure District in 2000. The Oklahoma City City Council recognized Oklahoma City’s Adventure District as an official entertainment district in 2003.

"These signs create a new sense of unity among the attractions. Most importantly, they alert visitors that they have arrived at one of America's most diverse and engaging entertainment venues," said Leslie Baker, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum marketing director and Adventure District board of directors member.

A total of 32 signs will be erected on Martin Luther King Blvd., and on NE 63rd St., Remington Pl. and 50th St. between Lottie St. and I-35.

Adventure District attractions include: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Omniplex Science Museum, Remington Park Racing Casino, National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum and Cinemark Tinseltown USA.

"The attractions are excited about being identified as one of Oklahoma City’s premier entertainment districts," said Mark Loehrs, chief financial officer of ASA Softball and Adventure District board of directors president. "We offer amazing family-friendly entertainment for locals and tourists."

Nearly 2.5 million people visit the Adventure District each year, and attendance is expected to soar with the opening of the racing casino at Remington Park. Including renovations at Remington Park Racing Casino, Adventure District attractions will spend $39.6 million in capital expenditures by the end of 2005. The attractions expect to invest another $32.2 million in capital improvements by 2010.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum recently announced the Museum creates an economic benefit estimated at $45.7 million.

In addition to district identification signs, World Cup championships, record-breaking attendances and new museum exhibits are generating excitement in the Adventure District. The National Softball Hall of Fame and Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium will again host the Softball World Cup Championship in 2006, bringing thousands of softball fans from around the world to Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Zoo broke its attendance record with more than 787,000 visitors during fiscal year 2004-05. Omniplex Science Museum is gearing up to renovate and construct permanent exhibits, including the Champion Oak Science Tree House, Exploring Space Gallery and Wheels To Wings Bicycle Collection.

The much-anticipated Remington Park Racing Casino, with 650 state-of-the-art gaming machines, creates a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum, the only museum in the world owned and operated by firefighters, continues to add firefighting memorabilia to the collection of machinery dating back to 1736.

CineMark recently lowered movie ticket prices at Tinseltown USA from $7 to $5.50 for adult evening tickets, making Tinseltown one of the most affordable cinema theaters in the metro.

For more information about Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, visit www.okcadventure.com or call (405) 290-7529.

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