Land Run 2008

I took 250 pictures of the Land Run today. it's so hard to pick the ones to post here! The kids are adorable, but I can't post overly recognizable photos of other people's kids. Regardless, there will be tons of pictures today, and this post will be long.

And the outfits! You'll see. But first, here's Mrs. Clark. Y'all remember Mrs. Clark, of the bovines go to school fame? Isn't she cute, riding her bull to the Land Run?


Oh, by the way? Scads of children were asking about Fred and Bessie today, either why weren't they with me, taking part in the Land Run, or whether they'd been found. I had to explain it many times - their disappearance, showing up in New York, prancing amongst Dlyn's vincas - but their favorite part was the Smarties.

Once the rain passed - didn't I mention the rain? All the way to school I was fretting that there would be no Land Run, what with the gusty wind and black, heavy clouds. It blew over quickly, and the kids lined up on the playground. Aren't they darling?





The principal walked around with his bullhorn all day - I might go buy a bullhorn. I want one. Don't you? He made sure everyone was lined up properly, made sure the parents stayed in the viewing area - evidently parents are prone to helping their children run, pull the wagon, set up their homestead, you name it. I was too busy snapping pictures to even think of helping Little Guy.

Isn't the principal cute in his jeans and hat? Gotta love a man with a bullhorn. I want a bullhorn! Did I mention that? I wonder where I'd get one. Bullhorn City? Bullhorns R Us? I want one.

Next, a shot was heard. I thought there was some kind of law about weapons in school, but this IS Oklahoma. At the shot, the heads of families (each class was split into named families of five and six) took off to claim their parcel of land. Look at them run!

They're moving pretty fast, trying to find a spot. I asked a group of fourth graders today how large the original tracts of free land were. I think they told me 160 acres. Marguerite, I know you wanted free land, but I would NOT want to have to mow 160 acres. I also found out there were three separate land runs, the first one in 1889. At least, that's what the ten year olds said. I believe them. I wasn't alive then, despite what some of you younger moms might think.


Here they are, still running. Run, Okies, run! Don't stop till you find water and trees! There must have been rules, because these kids knew when to stop running. That or kids these days just don't have the stamina they once did. I think it's the latter.

Once the runners stopped, they pushed their stakes into the ground, declaring the little square for their family. The family had to wait in line, oh so patiently, for the gunshot to happen again - now I want a starter pistol to go with my bullhorn. Any idea where I'd find one? Cheap? I'm frugal.


Oh! Here the families are pulling their covered wagons, headed for their squares! The wagons were of the Radio Flier variety, with pool noodles acting as hoops. I asked Little Guy's teacher why they didn't use hula hoops and was told that the hoops fall forward, collapsing the wagon cover (an old sheet from my linen closet).





Let me just say, when the families took off for their new homesteads, it sounded like a cattle stampede. I nearly dropped the camera! It was GREAT! Hundreds of ten year olds running.





Shortly after, they settled in and began the hard work of setting up a homestead. Here's a shot of a group I know, trying to get their bearings. I just love watching kids trying to figure things out. These kids spent the last few weeks learning about the land run, planning their families and supplies (much of which were falling off of the wagons while they ran, btw), plotting out their square.






Okay, gratuitous butt shot of Mrs. Clark. This just cracks me up, what with the hooves coming out of her rear end and all. I hope she forgives me for posting this. I was amused.
















Little Guy and his family! It took me awhile to find them. I was so busy snapping photos that I forgot to watch his family run. But here they are, discussing how everything will work. Aren't they cute? Yes, I'm biased. Yes, Little Guy's wearing his Pimp My Kid glasses. Thanks for rubbing it in. Not very 1889 if you ask me.










See? Aren't they though? But he loves these frames, and when you're ten, that's what counts. His friends even like them. They like them so much that they swipe them on the playground and run around wearing them. Until another friend knocks that one down, knocking off the glasses and popping out a lens, bent frame and all. True story.















Look at these two work together! The men in the family. Actually, there was another boy, but Little Guy seemed to work well with this kid.



Okay, I have to stop now. There are so many great shots I'd love to show you but can't. Kids whose faces spoke volumes, family sets, homesteads in progress. It's just too much. But the day was great, the kids had a good time and learned a lot, I learned quite a bit about my adopted state, and the rain stayed away. Thanks for sharing it with me, those of you who read this far.

Until I write again ...

Flea