Thunder Alva: Small Town In Oklahoma Recreates Thunder Alley

On the northwest side of the Sooner State, community members in Alva are just getting ready to show off their team spirit.

Sunday, June 17th 2012, 3:53 pm

By: News 9


The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Miami Heat Sunday night during the NBA Finals. On the northwest side of the Sooner State, community members in Alva are just getting ready to show off their team spirit.

It started off as just a small get together with friends and family, according to Alva resident Alyson Penco.

But now, "Thunder Alva" is turning into one of the biggest events of the town.

"It was originally a small get together with friends to recreate Thunder Alley with a play on words calling it ‘Thunder Aly,' from the spelling of my name," Penco said.

As the news of "Thunder Aly" spread across town, Penco said she has been getting response from many Alva residents who also want to participate. That's when Penco came up with the idea of "Thunder Alva."

On Thunder Alva's Facebook page, more than 100 people have signed up to attend the event.

Penco said by 11 a.m. Wednesday, many local businesses have volunteered to help make this event successful.

Radio Shack and Sudden Link stores in Alva have agreed help with the video feed. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is providing projectors, while a local contractor and a business based in Stillwater provide two Jumbo projector screens for people to watch the game.

"I am so proud of my community that in 48 hours, they came together to do this," said Julie Hamill. "This was a small idea from Alyson Penco to get together, and turned into an amazing community event that all Thunder fans can enjoy."

Boss Music in Alva will be playing music throughout the event. The Thunder Mobile Shop will also stop by during the third quarter of the game, so residents in Alva will be able to purchase licensed Thunder gear.

All these services are provided free of charge, according to Penco.

"I would like to thank everyone that has helped make all of this happen," said Penco. " All of your deserve the credit."

The "Thunder Alva" event will take place in downtown Alva, at the Woods County Courthouse Lawn. City commissioners approved of the event during a special meeting last week, and they also decided to close down the streets around the area to help event-goers stay safe while watching the game.

To help further spread the word, organizers worked with local t-shirt shop "Speedy T's" and created t-shirts for the event.

Penco said all the proceeds from the t-shirts will benefit "Relay For Life," an organization dedicated to helping cancer patients and research.

The t-shirt was approved by Thunder officials.

Pre-game event during "Thunder Alva" starts at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tip off is at 7 p.m. Penco said the "Thunder Alva" festivities will take place throughout the NBA Finals.

Learn more about Thunder Alva and how you can participate!

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