Summer might be winding down, but the fun at the Lawton Aquatic Center is still going strong! As students head back to classes, our seasonal staff is returning to school, too.

To keep everyone safe and maintain our high safety standards, the Lawton Aquatic Center is transitioning to an end-of-season schedule starting Thursday, August 13—keeping us safely open all the way through Labor Day, September 7!

Here is how you can still make a splash:

• Join us Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. for Lap Swim and Senior Water Walking.

• Hit the pool on Saturdays with Season Pass Holder early entry at 8 a.m., followed by Public Swim from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Enjoy Sundays with early entry at noon and Public Swim from 1 to 5 p.m.

• And celebrate Labor Day with us on September 7 for our final day of the season, featuring early entry at 9 a.m. and Public Swim from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Please note: all city splashpads and wading pools—including Elmer Thomas Park, KidZone, Mocine, Harmon, and the 35th Division pool—will close for the season starting August 13.

The City of Lawton thanks you for another fantastic summer. Come make your final memories of the season with us before we close the gates on September 7!

The City of Lawton has announced the recipients of its annual community awards, which will be presented during the City of Lawton's 125th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the newly renovated McMahon Memorial Auditorium.

Each year, the City recognizes individuals and organizations whose service, leadership, and lasting contributions have helped shape the Lawton community.

The 2026 award recipients are:

• Outstanding Citizen: Ronda Norrell
• Outstanding Youth Organization: Scouting America Troop 9100
• Outstanding Organization: Fort Sill Better Opportunities for Single Soldier (BOSS) Program
• Community Impact Award: The Salvation Army
• Living Legacy Award: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
• Lawton Award in Excellence: Dr. Ed Legako

In addition to the City awards, the Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women has selected three finalists for its Woman of the Year Award. This year's finalists are Veronica Lewis, Rebecca Reynolds and Onreka Johnson, with the recipient to be announced during the birthday celebration.

The celebration begins at 7 a.m. with a community cowboy breakfast at the Museum of the Great Plains' Coffee Trading Post, located just east of McMahon Memorial Auditorium. Guests can enjoy fresh donuts, coffee, bacon, biscuits and gravy, served from authentic chuckwagons while supplies last.

At 8:30 a.m., residents are invited to experience a longhorn cattle drive through Elmer Thomas Park. Spectators are encouraged to gather along the route to watch the herd make its way toward McMahon Memorial Auditorium. A route map will be released closer to the event.

The celebration continues at 9 a.m. with the official ribbon cutting for the newly renovated McMahon Memorial Auditorium. Following the ceremony, the public is invited inside for the City of Lawton's 125th Birthday Celebration, featuring community exhibits, birthday cake, recognition of this year's oldest Lawtonian, the presentation of community awards, and the first public performance in the restored auditorium honoring Louise McMahon and the McMahon family's lasting legacy.

The birthday celebration is free and open to the public.

For more information about the City of Lawton's 125th Birthday Celebration, contact the City of Lawton Arts & Humanities Division at (580) 581-3470.

The City of Lawton Arts & Humanities Division is now accepting performer applications for the 2026 Lawton Has Talent competition benefiting the International Festival. Individuals aged 15 and older are invited to showcase their talents for a chance to perform live at McMahon Memorial Auditorium and compete for the $1,000 grand prize.

Applications and talent submission videos must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Applicants must submit a completed performer application that can be found on SWOKarts.com, along with a 90-second video demonstrating their talent. Videos should be emailed to Arts@lawtonok.gov and must begin with the performer's name and talent.

Selected performers will be notified in early October. It is free to audition, however performers or groups will have a fee of $50 for acts with only one performer and $100 for acts with more than one performer. Accepted contestants are required to attend a performer orientation on Saturday, Oct. 10, as well as all scheduled rehearsals at McMahon Memorial  Auditorium from Nov. 3–6. The live Lawton Has Talent performance will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.

Cash awards will be presented to the top three performers, with $1,000 awarded to first place, $750 to second place, and $500 to third place. A Most Spirited Award will also be presented to the performer or group that sells the most tickets to the Nov. 7 event.

Applications and additional information are available through the City of Lawton Arts & Humanities Division.

Lawton Mayor Stan Booker will deliver his annual State of the City address during the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce's State of the City Luncheon on Friday, August 14, 2026, at FISTA Innovation Park. 

The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Mayor Booker highlighting the City's progress, accomplishments and continued efforts to build a stronger Lawton. 

This year's theme, "Brick by Brick in '26," highlights the steady work of building Lawton's future one project, one decision and one generation at a time. Through the City's continued KidsFirst focus, Mayor Booker will connect that progress to the people who ultimately inherit it, underscoring the importance of leaving a stronger Lawton for the next generation. 

Tickets are $25 per person for Chamber members and $35 per person for non-members, with payments required at the time of registration. The deadline to register is Monday, August 7. For more information or to register, contact the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce at (580)355-3541.