Rock Island Ride, Shakespeare Wine Company nominated for Best of Chickasaw Country

Feb. 12—Two Chickasha destinations have been selected as finalists for the 2024 Best of Chickasaw Country awards.

Chickasha's Rock Island Ride and Shakespeare Wine Company are both returning to the ballot from last year. The Best of Chickasaw Country recognizes top attractions in south-central Oklahoma spanning 17 categories that encompass entertainment, restaurants, museums and more. The top five were selected via online poll. Voting will take place through Feb. 29 and the winners will be announced by Chickasaw Country on March 26.

Vote online here: https://www.chickasawcountry.com/best-chickasaw-2024-voting

Rock Island Ride

Chickasha's Rock Island Ride is racing for Best Run or Ride among four other finalists, including: The Bison View 5K of Sulphur, the Firefly Run of Tishomingo, the Hills of Oklahoma Bike Tour of Davis and Stevy's Run of Tishomingo.

The Chickasha Rock Island Ride features a bike route for every level. Cyclists can opt to go on a smooth ride with no hills, or take on more challenging terrain. The Rock Island Ride raises thousands of dollars every year for local charities. The ride is held in conjunction with the Rock Island Arts Festival and Oklahoma Food Truck Championships in the fall. This year, these events will take place on Sept. 28.

Shakespeare Wine Company

Chickasha's Shakespeare Wine Company is a contender for Best Winery/Brewery along with B&G Meadery of Stonewall, Kochendorfer Brewing Co. of Duncan, Old Silo Winery of Tishomingo and Rusty Nail Winery of Sulphur.

A cozy, artistic venue located at 524 W. Kansas Ave., Shakespeare Wine Company has a tasting room, charcuterie boards and seating in or outdoors. The wines are on-theme and named after classic literature. In addition to hosting musical guests and performances, the venue is often open during downtown events.

The full list of categories and finalists, provided by Chickasaw Country, include:

Best Antique Shop

Auntie Mae's Antiques, Purcell

Hello Again, Sulphur

Junk Stars, Tishomingo

The Gettin' Place, Sulphur

The re-Finery, Ada

Best Attraction

Blue River, Tishomingo

Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur

Ole Red Restaurant, Gift Shop and Doghouse, Tishomingo

Turner Falls Park, Davis

Best BBQ

Allisa's Kitchen BBQ & Grill, Wynnewood

Pigskins BBQ, Ada

Punkins BBQ & Catfish Restaurant, Pauls Valley

Smokin Joe's Rib Ranch, Davis

Swadley's Bar-B-Q, Ardmore

Best Boutique

3rd & Broadway, Sulphur

Home Décor & More, Tishomingo

Kedford Boutique, Tishomingo

Pamper Me Boutique, Sulphur

The White Feather, Pauls Valley

Best Casino

Artesian Casino, Sulphur

Chisholm Trail Casino, Duncan

Riverwind Casino, Norman

Treasure Valley Casino, Davis

WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville

Best Coffee Shop

Arbuckle Craft Coffee, Ada

Bedre' Cafe, Sulphur

Greg's Rockin' Goat Coffee, Kingston

Latte' Da Coffee House, Tishomingo

Iron Wolf Coffee House, Davis

Best Family-Friendly Attraction

Blue River, Tishomingo

Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur

Lazer Zone, Ada

Turner Falls Park, Davis

Best Festival

Artesian Arts Festival, Sulphur

Chickasaw Annual Festival, Tishomingo

National Sand Bass Festival, Madill

Okie Noodling Tournament & Festival, Pauls Valley

Red, White and Boom, Tishomingo

Best Golf Course

Lake Murray Golf Course, Ardmore

Pauls Valley Municipal Golf Course, Pauls Valley

Sulphur Hill Golf Course, Sulphur

Tishomingo Golf Course, Tishomingo

WinStar Golf Club, Thackerville

Best Lake

Lake Murray, Ardmore

Lake of the Arbuckles, Sulphur

Lake Texoma, Kingston

Purcell Lake, Purcell

Veterans Lake, Sulphur

Best Live Performance Venue

Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville

McSwain Theatre, Ada

Riverbottom Bar & Entertainment Venue, Davis

Showplace Theatre at Riverwind Casino, Norman

The Doghouse at Old Red, Tishomingo

Best Lodging

Cedar & Stone Bed and Breakfast, Tishomingo

Inn at Mulberry, Tishomingo

Secret Garden Cottages, Sulphur

The Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa, Sulphur

The Lodges at Fossil Creek, Kingston

Best Museum

Chickasaw Bank Museum, Tishomingo

Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur

Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Duncan

Greater Southwest Historical Museum, Ardmore

The Toy & Action Figure Museum, Pauls Valley

Best Overall Dining

Café Alley, Ardmore

Gonzalez Mexican Restaurant, Tishomingo

Ole Red, Tishomingo

Punkins BBQ & Catfish Restaurant, Pauls Valley

Springs at The Artesian, Sulphur

Best Run or Ride

Bison View 5K, Sulphur

FireFly Run, Tishomingo

H.O.O.T. (Hills of Oklahoma Bike Tour), Davis

Rock Island Ride, Chickasha

Stevy's Run, Tishomingo

Best Wedding Venue

Elegant Events & Weddings (Formerly known as Arbuckle Chapel), Davis

The Grand Canadian Theater, Purcell

The Ponds at Mable Farms, Ardmore

The Springs Wedding and Event Venues, Blanchard

The Wildflower, Tishomingo

Best Winery/Brewery

B & G Meadery, Stonewall

Kochendorfer Brewing Co., Duncan

Old Silo Winery, Tishomingo

Rusty Nail Winery and Tasting Room, Sulphur

Shakespeare Wine Company, Chickasha