We’ve known for some weeks about the big party at 10 a.m. Saturday for the 21-foot-tall Buck Atom Space Cowboy fiberglass giant that will be dedicated at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa.
Mary Beth Babcock, the effervescent owner of the souvenir store in a former gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), recently sent out a news release with more details about the event. Here is the food for your stomach and ears that will be offered:
- Coffee, pastries and dessert from Laurannae Baking Co.
- Locally made popsicles from The Pop House
- Cuban sandwiches, hot dogs and tacos from Daddy Oh’s Tropical
- TJ Mayes will spin Oklahoma western records
Among the speakers at the event:
- Mayor G.T. Bynum
- Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell
- Michael Wallis, author of “Route 66: The Mother Road”
- Abby Kurin of the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture
- Joel Baker of American Giant Co.
The Buck Atom Cosmic Cowboy going up at the store is a throwback to the Muffler Men fiberglass giants — most of them lumberjacks, cowboys or Native Americans — made during the 1960s.
Instead of buying one of her own, Babcock hired Enchanted Castle Studios of Virginia to build a special Muffler Man from scratch of her design. The rocket ship Buck will hold was made by Chris Wollard, and Baker (longtime readers will remember him from his “American Giants” video series) will install the giant.
UPDATE: I asked Babcock where those who wished to attend should park. She replied in an email:
We are suggesting that people park all along Route 66 at the different business’s. Also, people can park at the Meadow Gold Sign, across the street at Lazar Honda shop lot, next door at the transmission shop, Soul City, Ike’s Chili, Bobby O’s Slices, Lot a Burger lots … I suggest if people do park at an open business that they support them as well! Another idea is parking at Centennial Park & walk a few blocks!
(Artist’s rendering of the Buck Atom Cosmic Cowboy courtesy of Mary Beth Babcock)