Local artisans, businesses, organizations and community groups are being invited to take part in an exciting community celebration this spring as the Veterans of Foreign Wars prepares to host the VFW District 7 Loyalty Day event in Okmulgee.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at 1427 N. Okmulgee, and organizers say it promises to be a lively gathering celebrating community pride, patriotism and local entrepreneurship.

District leaders are currently calling on local vendors, service providers and educational organiza-

SEE tions to reserve booth space and be part of the festivities. The event will provide an opportunity for participants to showcase their work, connect with residents and support the local veteran community.

Setup for vendors will begin at 9 a.m., with activities expected to continue throughout the day until approximately 5 p.m., when breakdown will begin.

The event is open to a wide variety of participants, including:

• Craft vendors

• Local businesses and service providers

• Colleges and educational programs

• Community organizations Whether selling handmade goods, promoting services or sharing educational opportunities, vendors will have a platform to interact directly with community members.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Gain exposure at a community-wide event

• Network with other local businesses and organizations • Showcase products, crafts, services or educational opportunities

• Engage directly with residents and visitors Vendors interested in participating are encouraged to reserve their space as soon as possible.

For more information or to reserve a booth, contact Tamara Seamon at 918-650-8398 or seamon. tamara@icloud. com.

Loyalty Day is a patriotic observance in the United States held each year on May 1. The day is dedicated to reaffirming Americans’ loyalty to the United States and celebrating the nation’s heritage of freedom, democracy and individual liberty.

Although it is not a federal holiday that closes businesses or government offices, Loyalty Day is officially recognized by the U.S. government. Each year, the President of the United States issues a proclamation encouraging citizens, schools, civic groups and veterans organizations to observe the day with ceremonies and programs that highlight American values.

Loyalty Day celebrations often include:

• Community parades

• Flag ceremonies

• School programs on patriotism

• Veteran recognition events

• Public readings of historical documents

• Patriotic speeches and music The observance provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the freedoms they enjoy and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Loyalty Day traces its roots to the early years of the Cold War. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Americans sought ways to publicly demonstrate their commitment to democratic ideals in contrast to communist ideology.

The first large-scale observance took place in 1921, when patriotic organizations organized events designed to promote American values. However, the movement gained stronger momentum after World War II.

In 1955, the United States Congress formally recognized Loyalty Day. The following year, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a resolution designating May 1 as Loyalty Day nationwide. The date was chosen partly to provide a patriotic alternative to May Day, which had long been associated with international labor movements and communist demonstrations in other parts of the world.

Since then, every U.S. president has issued an annual proclamation marking Loyalty Day and encouraging Americans to participate in observances.

It is also a day to recognize the sacrifices made by members of the military and veterans who have defended those freedoms.