Shawnee Maze receives top state RedBud award

Shawnee was well-represented Oct. 13 at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism as the Shawnee Maze and Pumpkin Patch received the 2008 Outstanding Agritourism Attraction RedBud Award.
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Executive Director Hardy Watkins announced the winners during a gala at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
“RedBud Awards represent the highest honor given in the Oklahoma tourism industry,” Watkins said. “This year, we received 70 entries on behalf of tourism efforts from all across our state.”
Entries are evaluated by out-of-state judges based on criteria including customer service, marketing effectiveness, media relations, variety of audiences reached, value and overall creativity. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department partners with the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association to present the annual RedBud Awards.
“It was an exciting evening recognizing the efforts of our industry and a great celebration of tourism,” Watkins said. “There is no better way to showcase the diversity of travel opportunities in Oklahoma than by honoring the best each year and bestowing them with this award.”
For more information about Oklahoma’s travel and tourism industry, visit www.travelok.com or www.OTIA.info.
The Shawnee Maze, on Wolverine Road, will be open for the 2008 season until Saturday. The maze is operated by Tom and Robin Mikles. This is the third season for the couple to operate the maze. Family activities include the maze, farm animals, a hay jump, hayrides, pumpkin patch, children’s play area, corn cannon and group tours.
The maze is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 4 to 11. For more information, call 401-8217 or 401-8371.