Italian
Festival
of
McAlester,
Oklahoma
 

Where?

McAlester is located in the southeastern part of the State of Oklahoma, in the heartland of the United States of America.

Our city is located -------------------
about 90 miles south of Tulsa, Oklahoma
about 135 miles east-southeast of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
about 175 miles north of Dallas, Texas
about 115 miles west-southwest of Fort Smith, Arkansas

The Festival takes place each year at the county fairgrounds - the Pittsburg County Regional Exposition Center, which is located on the south side of U.S. 270 highway, about 4 miles west of McAlester. The entire complex of buildings and structures (and tents during the Festival!) is easily visible from the highway. The McAlester exit from Indian Nations Turnpike is less than a mile west of the fairgrounds.

Driving Instructions

From Tulsa, go south on U.S. 75, through Okmulgee to Henryetta. At Henryetta the roadbed runs directly into Indian Nations Turnpike, which runs south nearly to the Texas border. About 40 miles south of Henryetta (and the north end of the Turnpike) take the first McAlester exit. The exit is onto U.S. 270, Turn left (east) from the exit ramp onto U.S. 270. You will see the fairgrounds complex on the south (your right) side of the highway, less than a mile east of the Turnpike exit.

From Oklahoma City, go east on Interstate 40, through Shawnee, to Henryetta. At Henryetta take the Indian Nations Turnpike exit, going south. About 40 miles south of Henryetta (and the north end of the Turnpike) take the first McAlester exit. The exit is onto U.S. 270, Turn left (east) from the exit ramp onto U.S. 270. You will see the fairgrounds complex on the south (your right) side of the highway, less than a mile east of the Turnpike exit.

From Dallas, go north on U.S. 75 (Central Expressway) to the Sherman-Denison area. Around Sherman-Denison, the highway becomes U.S. 75 and U.S. 69. About 20 miles further north, near Durant (Oklahoma), U.S. 75 exits the roadbed and the roadbed becomes only U.S. 69. Continue north on U.S. 69 through Atoka, to McAlester. In McAlester, U.S. 69 splits into a by-pass (called George Nigh Expressway) and a city street (called Main Street). Stay on the "business route" city street, going north to the downtown area. A couple of blocks north of the railroad crossing, Main Street (U.S. 69 business route) intersects with Carl Albert Parkway (U.S. 270). At that intersection, turn left (west) on U.S. 270 and go about 4 miles. You will easily see the fairgrounds on the south (your left) side of the highway.

From Fort Smith, go west on Interstate 40 to Checotah (Oklahoma). At Checotah, take the exit soutbound on U.S. 69. Go south on U.S. 69, through Eufaula, to McAlester. As you enter McAlester, you will come to a "cloverleaf" intersection with U.S. 270. Take the westbound exit on U.S. 270 (Carl Albert Parkway in McAlester) and go through McAlester. The fairgrounds is about 4 miles west of McAlester, and easily visible on the south (your left) side of the highway.

McAlester Information

McAlester Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
McAlester News-Capital & Democrat