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.