3 days ago
American Banjo Museum offers free admission to Timberwolves fans after Minnesota article
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — You may have seen an article floating around from a local Minnesota newspaper that states NBA players don't like to spend a lot of time in Oklahoma City and the attractions aren't enticing unless they would like to visit the American Banjo Museum multiple times. Now, the museum is offering free admission to Timberwolves fans.
'It's obvious the author hasn't really seen Oklahoma City himself,' said Johnny Baier, a banjo icon and the Executive Director of the American Banjo Museum.
Baier read the article in the Minnesota Star Tribune.
It states, 'Visiting NBA teams don't like to spend a lot of time in Oklahoma not a city their friends and family may visit with them, and the attractions don't really entice them, unless somebody would really like to visit the American Banjo Museum multiple times.'
OKC Mayor David Holt also read the story.
'If you're some lazy sportswriter and you don't want to leave your your room at the Omni and you just want to pop off about the Banjo Museum, you know, it makes good copy, but it's not reality,' said Mayor Holt.
It's true, the American Banjo Museum is a good time and it's famous. Celebrities often visit.
Just last Friday, Thomas Lennon, who played Lt. Jim Dangle on Reno 911, stopped by to play and visit.
'Eric Clapton was here,' said Baier. 'Tim Blake Nelson from O' Brother Where Art Thou?'
Also, the elusive Steve Martin is very involved in the museum.
'He's become an ambassador for the museum donating instruments and loaning us things,' said Baier.
Kermit the Frog has also visited multiple times. His video plays on loop.
'You know, I've been playing banjo since I was a tadpole, but I have never seen anything like this!' Mr. Green said during the video.
OKC Stores preparing to sell new items pending Thunder victory
Now, because of the article, the museum is opening up it's doors to Timberwolves fans for free.
'And if an Oklahoma City Fan comes and wants to get free admission saying they're a Minnesota fan, the karma train is coming!' said Baier.
While the American Banjo Museum is a staple downtown, there's more to offer.
'I'd love to think the American Banjo Museum is the only thing that somebody would want to do, multiple times, but in reality there's a lot of stuff to do here,' said Baier.
Chad Huntington, the CEO of the Bricktown Water Taxi, said in the later rounds of the playoffs he starts to see more visitors coming from other cities.
'You can stay busy for a week here,' said Huntington.
He would know. His team tells tourists all about the city while sailing along the Bricktown Canal.
'There's also food scene, there is nightlife, believe it or not, which NBA players do find,' said Huntington.
He also mentions theme parks, like the classic Frontier City and Hurricane Harbor, along with the new beach and waterslides along I-40 at Okana.
Not to mention, white water rafting at Riversport OKC.
'I mean, we're bringing the Olympics to Oklahoma City via Riversport,' said Huntington.
Huntington also mentions the plentiful museums, like the Oklahoma Museum of Art, Science Museum Oklahoma, First Americans Museum, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and of course the OKC National Memorial & Museum.
'If you come here with open eyes – you're going to walk away having a great experience,' said Baier.
After the article, Baier sent in a response which the Minnesota Star Tribune published.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
