Top 5 Things For Sale at the Frontier City Gift Shop

Previously:

New World Comic Con  - -  Antiques Etc.  - -  Choctaw Welcome Center 

Sam Noble Museum Gift Shop  - -  Cherokee Trading Post  - -  Cloverleaf

Frontier City recently finished up their summer season but they're already prepping for their Halloween brouhaha.  I was out there recently shooting some footage (and dodging the rain) and when I was exiting through the gift shop, I remembered it's been awhile since I did one of these "Top 5 For Sale" list.  So with that uninspired preamble, here we go...

5.  Sweat Pants

This one may seem a little mundane but that's kind of the point.  I just can't imagine anyone buying sweat pants at an amusement park gift shop.  It's almost like it's both too big of a purchase yet too small of a purchase all at the same time.  "Those rides were super fun but now I want to pick up some sweat pants at the gift shop before we go home."  And if buying sweat pants at the gift shop is actually very common, please don't tell me.  I prefer to live in my own delusions.

4.  Bigfoot Magnet

Yeah, I know.  I keep beating the Bigfoot drum but no one else seems all that interested.  But Oklahoma really needs to play up its relationship to the mythical monster.  I'd like to see sightings increase and a flood of new Bigfoot related attractions across the state...or at least along Route 66.

3.  Frontier City Snow Globe

And speaking of the Mother Road, nothing says "old school kitschy souvenir" like the gold ol' snow globe.  Sure, the inside might contain a somewhat generic Ferris Wheel but the base is totally branded with a Frontier City vibe.  That lettering is definitely raised and that takes effort!  Effort I appreciate.

2.  Rainbow Squid Hat

Hats go in and out of style on all the time and non-fashion forward folks like myself can never keep up.  It's times like these when it's necessary to take a sledgehammer to the social customs of the day.  And that's where our colorful friends comes in.  He fits comfortably between, "I crave attention" and "I NEED attention."

1.  Dark Bison T-Shirt

Everything in the world is happening on this shirt.  An Oklahoma bison dressed just like Batman except not enough to have to pay for the rights to the character!  Is this a recurring character in Frontier City canon?  I don't know.  And it not only glows in the dark, it "High Def" glows in the dark!  What does that mean?  I don't know.  But it's the wise man who admits there is much he does NOT know...possibly.

Well those are my picks this time.  And the most important thing to remember here is: if you've bought sweat pants at a theme park gift shop, please don't tell me.

Top 5 Things for Sale at the Choctaw Welcome Center

Previously:

Top 5 Things For Sale at the Sam Noble Museum Gift Shop

Top 5 Things for Sale at Cherokee Trading Post

Top 5 Things for Sale at Cloverleaf

Crossing state lines is typically celebrated by a quick stop at the "Welcome Center."  These can range from surprisingly elaborate to disappointingly drab.  Typically, the beckoning of free coffee and pamphlets are more than enough to press pause on the road trip but occasionally a place will go above and beyond...like the Choctaw Welcome Center in Colbert, OK.  So lets take a look inside to see what souvenirs we can take with us along the ride.

5.  Fry Bread Recipe Magnet

The traditional Native American treat is great to make tacos with or to pour some honey on.  And this magnetized beauty will guarantee that you always have the recipe on hand.  It's definitely a uniquely Oklahoman keepsake.

4.  Sports Related Feathers

What stands out here is the selection between OU Sooners and Dallas Cowboys.  The Welcome Center is right on the Texas border so it makes sense to include America's team but the exclusion of the OSU Cowboys?  Maybe they're sold out?  Regardless, these add a great Oklahoma flair to any sports fan's decor.

3.  Achukma Pecan Oil

Seen any good Fry Bread recipes lately?  If so, you'll probably need some oil.  These guys are made by a company called "Native American Specialty Products", which I'm REALLY hoping is not some subsidiary of a huge corporation owned by white dudes but rather a mom & pop operation staffed by a hard working native family.  Either way, I'm not going to try to find out.  I can't handle another let down.

2.  Vienna Sausage & Cracker Snack

I don't know why this appeals to me so much but I love it.  I spend a lot of time on the road and a lot of time eating road food from various gas stations, so when someone puts even the smallest effort into offering a different kind of snack I really appreciate the effort.  This comes with a side of small town Oklahoma charm.

1.  Bigfoot Charm

I've said it before and prepare to hear it again, but Oklahoma does NOT take enough advantage of the Bigfoot sightings that happen throughout the state.  So of all the handmade "charms" available, this is the one that caught my eye.  And, yes, I choose to believe that it's made from authentic, genuine Sasquatch hair.  Prove me wrong!  (Please don't)

Top 5 Things for Sale at Cherokee Trading Post

The Cherokee Trading Post is a classic type of old school souvenir shop.  Located along I-40 near El Reno, it's got a long history, Route 66 proximity and a classic road trip "must stop" pedigree.  These days it includes a gas station and restaurant but the main draw for me was the Oklahoma souvenirs.

So, as I've done several times before, it was time to pick the Top 5 Things For Sale at this roadside icon.  Of course, these aren't the priciest items or the flashiest but each stood out for having a unique Oklahoma charm.  So let's get started:

5.  Oklahoma Sour Sidekicks (featuring Bigfoot)

Not enough is made of Oklahoma's resident woodland denizen.  Sure, his official status is "urban legend" and his personal appearances tend to be exclusively in blurry photographs, but there are plenty of folks who not only swear that he's real but that he also lives in Oklahoma.  With that, a bag of Bigfoot Sour Sidekicks makes a perfect road trip snack.

4.  Twirl-A-Rope

Let's face it, doing lasso tricks is hard.  Unless you're Will Rogers or Steve Martin, it's going to take a fair amount of time to get good.  The other alternative is to stop by here and pick up a "Twirl-A-Rope."  Depending on your skill level, you can choose "The Dogie" or "The Cowboy."  Yee-haw!

3.  Pet Tornado 

Sure the Pet Rock was a great concept but let's face it, it didn't really do anything.   But now you have a new pet...a pet tornado.  Just shake it and watch it do its thing.  Believe me, you'll be the calmest tornado witness in Oklahoma.  It's nice to be in control for once.

2.  Oklahoma Toothpick Holder

The best kind of souvenir is the kind that's functional.  That way it doesn't just rot away in your junk drawer, it actually serves a purpose in your everyday life and reminds you of that place you went to that time.  You also gotta eat, right?  Anyway, long story short:  here's an Oklahoma Toothpick Holder.

1.  Oklahoma Christmas Tree Ornament

Why not bring a little Oklahoma pride into the "most wonderful time of the year"?  The 46th state can be the 1st Christmas decoration that adorns your yearly yuletide celebration.  I like the idea of ornaments that have a specific meaning as opposed to generic holly or garlands.  And there's no interpretation necessary with this beauty.

So the next time you need a little more Sooner State in your life, you know what to do.