Jim Norick Arena (formerly Fairgrounds Arena) is a large multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

located at

State Fair Park State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

. Completed in 1965 at a cost of $2.4 million, it was the largest indoor facility in Oklahoma City until the construction of the

Myriad Convention Center Prairie Surf Studios (originally Myriad Convention Center and later Cox Convention Center) is a film production complex located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was formerly a convention center and the home of several minor league teams. ...

. It is named for Jim Norick, the mayor of Oklahoma City during the building's construction. The building was unique in that it had the largest roof of its type in the world. It is the second largest city-owned multi-purpose arena, after Paycom Center, and it has the largest impact for a publicly owned facility in Oklahoma City. It was home to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the CHL from 1965 to 1972. It was also home to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s National Finals Rodeo from 1965 to 1978, when the event was moved to the Myriad.

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

played here on November 16, 1970, to a sell out crowd of around 11,000. The

Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead was an American rock music, rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, Folk music, folk, country music, country, jazz, bluegrass music, bluegrass, ...

's performance on October 19, 1973, was recorded and later released as '' Dick's Picks Volume 19''. Today, the arena is used during the

Oklahoma State Fair The Oklahoma State Fair is a fair and exposition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It takes place in mid-September each year, and along with the Tulsa State Fair The Tulsa State Fair is an annual event held at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The mode ...

to host

Disney on Ice Disney on Ice, originally Walt Disney's World on Ice, is a series of touring ice shows produced by Feld Entertainment's Ice Follies And Holiday on Ice, Inc. under agreement with The Walt Disney Company. Aimed primarily at children, the shows fea ...

and the state fair rodeo. It is also the venue for the Oklahoma small school state basketball tournaments, school graduations, and various other equine events through the year. Construction on a new $85 million coliseum to replace the Norick Arena is scheduled to begin in September 2022, after which the old arena will be demolished.

References

External links

Jim Norick Arena – OKC Fairgrounds

Jim Norick Arena – Oklahoma State Fair
Indoor arenas in Oklahoma Basketball venues in Oklahoma Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States Sports venues in Oklahoma City Economy of Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Blazers (1965–1977) 1965 establishments in Oklahoma Sports venues completed in 1965 {{OklahomaCity-stub