OOTB Podcast - Parks Director Chris Wittenbach
Blanchard Events, City Updates & Faith: Pastor Dustin Talks with Parks Director Chris Wittenbach
Pastor Dustin welcomes Chris Wittenbach to the Out of the Box Church podcast, highlighting his behind-the-scenes work leading a five-man crew that maintains Blanchard’s parks and city properties and organizes community events. Chris shares his background from Chickasha, years in the insurance business across the South, moving to Blanchard in 2006, and how a dispatcher job led to building Blanchard’s modern event calendar, including a 4th of July celebration that has grown to over 8,000 attendees. They discuss city improvements like water tower upgrades, water/sewer/electrical work downtown, and upcoming events such as the Easter egg hunt, farmers market growth, concerts in the park, Bluegrass Festival, car show, Pumpkin Fest, Veterans Day parade, and Christmas on Main, plus new pickleball courts. Dustin promotes the June 27 “Ribs and Rods” fundraiser for Guatemala missions and Chris shares his Christian testimony and the Go Blanchard city app.
00:00 Welcome And Introductions
01:01 Meet The Parks Crew
01:56 Church And City Hall Memories
02:42 From Chickasha To Blanchard
04:25 Career Journey And Move Home
05:57 Joining City Hall
07:21 Building The Fourth Of July
11:58 City Upgrades And Downtown Plans
13:25 Spring Events Easter And Mayday
14:39 Farmers Market Growth
15:58 Splash Pad And Pickleball Courts
18:30 Summer Concerts And July Third
20:36 Fall Festivals Preview
20:52 Bluegrass Festival Schedule
21:40 Fall Events Lineup
23:26 Christmas Parade Themes
24:45 Ribs and Rods Details
26:16 Guatemala Mission Work
29:55 How to Donate or Volunteer
32:58 Parking and Shuttle Plan
34:03 Fireworks Stand Fundraiser
35:01 Faith Testimony Story
41:58 Go Blanchard App Wrap Up