Oklahoma rolls out the red carpet

Oklahomans were gracious hosts of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, and these signs prove it.

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Oklahomans were gracious hosts of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. One of the first to get out the many welcomes was Bass Pro Shops along the Broken Arrow Expressway leading into Tulsa. Along with pro anglers holding seminars there during the week, Bass Pro Shops offered free shuttle rides to the Classic venues.
Oklahomans were gracious hosts of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. One of the first to get out the many welcomes was Bass Pro Shops along the Broken Arrow Expressway leading into Tulsa. Along with pro anglers holding seminars there during the week, Bass Pro Shops offered free shuttle rides to the Classic venues.
An LED billboard clued in folks that the Classic was coming to Tulsa, with weigh-ins at the BOK Center and the Expo at the Tulsa Convention Center.
An LED billboard clued in folks that the Classic was coming to Tulsa, with weigh-ins at the BOK Center and the Expo at the Tulsa Convention Center.
Humminbird tried to foreshadow another Kevin VanDam Classic victory with this ad.
Humminbird tried to foreshadow another Kevin VanDam Classic victory with this ad.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa was the presenting sponsor of the Classic, even hosting the B.A.S.S. Night of Champions banquet.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa was the presenting sponsor of the Classic, even hosting the B.A.S.S. Night of Champions banquet.
<p>With the Classic weigh-ins at its 19,000-seat BOK Center, the Bank of Oklahoma does some not-so-subtle marketing on its downtown office building.</p>
With the Classic weigh-ins at its 19,000-seat BOK Center, the Bank of Oklahoma does some not-so-subtle marketing on its downtown office building.
Tulsa luremaker Gene Larew bought billboard time and combined with Legend Boats, Honda Outboards and country music station 98.5 KVOO to give away a boat at the Expo for the closest to guess how many Gene Larew/Bobby Garland baits were in a 10-gallon aquarium at their booth at the Bassmaster Classic Expo.
Tulsa luremaker Gene Larew bought billboard time and combined with Legend Boats, Honda Outboards and country music station 98.5 KVOO to give away a boat at the Expo for the closest to guess how many Gene Larew/Bobby Garland baits were in a 10-gallon aquarium at their booth at the Bassmaster Classic Expo.
<p>In Grove, the signage welcoming the Classic was more in line for the small town's population of 6,647. The Stonebrook Inn, where several of the competitors stayed alongside much of the on-the-water crew for Bassmaster TV and Bassmaster.com, offered a simple welcome.</p>
In Grove, the signage welcoming the Classic was more in line for the small town’s population of 6,647. The Stonebrook Inn, where several of the competitors stayed alongside much of the on-the-water crew for Bassmaster TV and Bassmaster.com, offered a simple welcome.
Just down the road, the Indian Smoke Shop knew where the Bassmaster Classic TV shows were airing.
Just down the road, the Indian Smoke Shop knew where the Bassmaster Classic TV shows were airing.
<p>The biggest banner in town was in front of the Lighthouse Plaza on Hwy. 59, right before the turn to the launch.</p>
The biggest banner in town was in front of the Lighthouse Plaza on Hwy. 59, right before the turn to the launch.
<p>At the Grove City Hall, the lighted billboard flashed the Bassmaster Classic logo ...</p>
At the Grove City Hall, the lighted billboard flashed the Bassmaster Classic logo …
<p>... then continued to inform passersby that the event was at Wolf Creek Park, which the city and other entities recently renovated to the tune of $3.5 million.</p>
… then continued to inform passersby that the event was at Wolf Creek Park, which the city and other entities recently renovated to the tune of $3.5 million.
<p>Several of the sports’ big names and their images were flashed on the board. There was Mike Iaconelli ...</p>
Several of the sports’ big names and their images were flashed on the board. There was Mike Iaconelli …
<p>... and, of course, Kevin VanDam. Others like Tracy Adams and Hank Cherry were displayed.</p>
… and, of course, Kevin VanDam. Others like Tracy Adams and Hank Cherry were displayed.
<p>Local favorite Jason Christie, who made his name on Grand Lake with a number of fishing tournament wins, had his name up in lights.</p>
Local favorite Jason Christie, who made his name on Grand Lake with a number of fishing tournament wins, had his name up in lights.
Banners were hung on the lamp posts in the downtown areas of Tulsa and Grove, including Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brent Chapman.
Banners were hung on the lamp posts in the downtown areas of Tulsa and Grove, including Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brent Chapman.
Defending Classic champion Chris Lane has a prime spot in Grove on the corner of Hwy. 59 and Main Street.
Defending Classic champion Chris Lane has a prime spot in Grove on the corner of Hwy. 59 and Main Street.
Across from the Grove City Hall, Shangri-La Realty flew the American flag along with its salute to the event.
Across from the Grove City Hall, Shangri-La Realty flew the American flag along with its salute to the event.
<p>Going along Main Street, businesses teamed up to show they knew what big doings were going on in town.</p>
Going along Main Street, businesses teamed up to show they knew what big doings were going on in town.
The busy Rib Crib eatery no doubt received some business from the hungry anglers and fans.
The busy Rib Crib eatery no doubt received some business from the hungry anglers and fans.
The First National Bank in Grove hoped visitors would make some withdrawals and spend it in town.
The First National Bank in Grove hoped visitors would make some withdrawals and spend it in town.
<p>Arvest Bank down the road also got into the act. Classics are known to be huge boosts to the host site's economy.</p>
Arvest Bank down the road also got into the act. Classics are known to be huge boosts to the host site’s economy.
Harbor Point, with a Harps grocery store, had to see business pick up during the week. One worker reported that she was called in early on several of the fishing days.
Harbor Point, with a Harps grocery store, had to see business pick up during the week. One worker reported that she was called in early on several of the fishing days.
<p>Between ads for milk and paper towels, Walgreens offered its welcome.</p>
Between ads for milk and paper towels, Walgreens offered its welcome.
With the cold conditions, extra gloves and hats, as well as ice scrapers, were probably big sellers.
With the cold conditions, extra gloves and hats, as well as ice scrapers, were probably big sellers.
<p>The Honey Creek Hotel, advertising as the only motel in Grove with lake access, saw its business increase.</p>
The Honey Creek Hotel, advertising as the only motel in Grove with lake access, saw its business increase.
The Honey Creek branch on Grand Lake was about a 10-minute drive to the launch, but close to half an hour by boat.
The Honey Creek branch on Grand Lake was about a 10-minute drive to the launch, but close to half an hour by boat.
<p>Grove Insurance Associates had a scrolling message ...</p>
Grove Insurance Associates had a scrolling message …
<p>... welcoming the Classic to Grove.</p>
… welcoming the Classic to Grove.
And even posted a nice graphic of what they hoped the anglers would see.
And even posted a nice graphic of what they hoped the anglers would see.
<p>The Trail House BBQ needed one more ‘s’ — they knew there was more than one angler but sure didn’t want to promote ‘Moked Beef Tenderloin.” Check out the antique truck tooling about Grove.</p>
The Trail House BBQ needed one more ‘s’ — they knew there was more than one angler but sure didn’t want to promote ‘Moked Beef Tenderloin.” Check out the antique truck tooling about Grove.
Jiffy Mart knows what anglers like.
Jiffy Mart knows what anglers like.
<p>Same with Pizza Hut for the anglers who just got off the water — a drive-thru supreme.</p>
Same with Pizza Hut for the anglers who just got off the water — a drive-thru supreme.
<p>The Grand Home Center in Grove might not have been offering what most anglers need on the road, but they knew how to make them feel welcome. Reely!</p>
The Grand Home Center in Grove might not have been offering what most anglers need on the road, but they knew how to make them feel welcome. Reely!