Governor Brad Henry today announced that Walt Disney World Resort has invited the State of Oklahoma to be the first state-dedicated marketplace experience at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this fall.

Epcot will mark the 12th year of the festival, which is hailed as one of the longest and largest food and wine festivals in the world. This year’s festival will be held from September 28 to November 11 at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and features cuisine from across the globe, a spectacular live music concert series, and exciting demonstrations and seminars from Disney and celebrity chefs.

"In the year of our state centennial celebration--a year in which we honor our state’s storied past and look ahead to a limitless future, it is truly exciting that Oklahoma has embarked on this unique opportunity with one of the great hallmarks of American entertainment and recreation, the Walt Disney World Resort,” said Governor Henry. “This year’s Festival provides an unparalleled spotlight for Oklahoma, and will bring our state closer to festival visitors from throughout the world."

The backdrop of the Oklahoma Experience at the festival--100 Stories of Oklahoma--will be three Walls of Wonder depicting Oklahoma Trailblazers through photos and stories. The Walls, which are 12 feet high and 21 feet long, will provide Disney guests with interactive activities that also will allow them to discover the history of Oklahoma and the great personalities that have helped shape the image of the state.

“This is an exciting opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and amazing resources of our state, including our talented people,” said Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Natalie Shirley. “The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival provides a high-quality venue to promote tourism in Oklahoma to a worldwide audience as well as target economic development opportunities.”

The Oklahoma experience will contain food and beverage kiosks, an artisan area, entertainment area, a merchandise and information shop modeled after the Price Tower, children’s activities, cultural/tourism representatives and cooking demonstrations.

Artisans from Oklahoma will perform on a daily basis at the experience and will be able to sell commissioned original artwork to festival guests.

For more information about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (407/939-3378) for special events and programs. Festival details are available at the Web site: www.disneyworld.com/food.