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