Editing Omak, Washington (section)

===Tourism===
[[File:Omak mountains.jpg|thumb|right|Agricultural land and mountains of Omak]]

The Omak Stampede, which operates the [[Suicide Race]], has been hosted at a local rodeo facility, the Stampede Arena{{mdash}}renovated in 2009<ref>{{cite news |first=K.C. |last=Mehaffey |url=http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2009/aug/10/omak-stampedes-new-arena-wins-approval/ |title=Omak Stampedes New Arena Wins |work=The Wenatchee World |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref>{{mdash}}since 1933.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omakstampede.org/?page=stampede_history |title=History of the Omak Stampede |publisher=Stampede Association |access-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224160147/http://omakstampede.org/?page=stampede_history |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Glenn |last=Farley |url=http://www.king5.com/news/Horse-dies-in-Omak-qualifying-165221616.html |title=Horse dies in qualifying round for Omak 'Suicide Race' |publisher=[[KING-TV]] |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310085210/http://www.king5.com/news/Horse-dies-in-Omak-qualifying-165221616.html |archive-date=March 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The Omak Stampede occurs annually on the second weekend of August. During the event, the city has an estimated population of approximately 30,000 people.<ref>[[#Smith|Smith (2004)]], p. 409</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:oWLNQqQ0FwIJ:www.omakcity.com/forms/ORNACSeatBleacherSponsorForm.doc+&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShhceckZiScn75di0aaibF7xhDMmrYvN_z_6xoHs9FEoyd59O90rPIu3_Pb4CYF2A2YrEjwl_9wG8CG0kwgpjxLWLUpglnMtlstOY4nlShvBiDx3UseIA27sxiob9UYAgxe1M7E&sig=AHIEtbTfwVfRczhUEdZK8Ht7FgodHNDUfw |title=Omak Stampede Arena and Grounds Redevelopment Stampede Arena Replacement – Application for Bleacher or Chair |type=Doc |publisher=City of Omak |year=2003 |access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> As part of the Suicide Race, horses and riders run down Suicide Hill{{mdash}}a 62-degree slope that runs for {{convert|225|ft}} to the Okanogan River.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nick |last=Timiraos |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118678342614494614 |title=The Race Where Horses Die |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |location=[[Toronto]] |date=August 11, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> Horses must pass a veterinarian examination to ensure they are physically healthy, and a swim test to ensure they can cross the river, to demonstrate their ability to run the race and navigate the river.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jean |last=Johnson |url=http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/ictarchives/2004/09/08/colvilles-keller-mountain-tradition-turns-to-suicide-race-93952 |title=Colville's Keller Mountain tradition turns to 'Suicide Race' |work=[[Indian Country Today Media Network]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |date=September 7, 2004 |access-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603095538/http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/ictarchives/2004/09/08/colvilles-keller-mountain-tradition-turns-to-suicide-race-93952 |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Several animal rights groups, including Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), [[In Defense of Animals]] and [[Humane Society of the United States]] (HSUS), have expressed concerns about the horses' welfare and have opposed the specific event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ida.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=5701.0&printer_friendly=1 |title=Stop the Omak Suicide Race – Next Scheduled Cruelty: August 6 to 9, 2009 – Letters And Phone Calls Needed |publisher=[[In Defense of Animals]] |year=2009 |access-date=February 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://video.humanesociety.org/press/video.php?bctid=973141141001&channel=973092891001 |title=Press – Horses – Omak Suicide Race B-roll |publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]] |access-date=February 27, 2013}}</ref>

Other significant events include the Omak Film Festival, inclusive of a variety of films at the [[Wenatchee Valley College]] and Omak Theater,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wvc.edu/news/news20112012/Omak%20Film%20Festival%202012.asp |title=Wenatchee Valley College at Omak presents 9th Annual Omak Film Festival |publisher=[[Wenatchee Valley College]] |date=January 11, 2012 |access-date=May 19, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.omakchronicle.com/archives/db_stories.asp?story=20080206B11-01 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615101438/http://www.omakchronicle.com/archives/db_stories.asp?story=20080206B11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Omak Film Festival features six films, begins February 8 |work=Omak–Okanogan County Chronicle |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=June 6, 2013 }}</ref> the Okanogan County Fair, an annual carnival at the County Fairgrounds<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okanogancountyfair.org/ |title=Welcome To the Okanogan County Fair, Okanogan, Washington |publisher=Okanogan County Fair |access-date=June 6, 2013 |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621050430/http://okanogancountyfair.org/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref> and the Omak Western and Native Art Show, a Native American carnival.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.omakchronicle.com/rendz/ |title=It's time for the 75th Stampede! |work=Omak–Okanogan County Chronicle |access-date=May 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418051005/http://www.omakchronicle.com/rendz/ |archive-date=April 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In an attempt to increase tourism, the City of Omak operates a Main Street Historical Tour in the central business district.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okanogancountry.com/region/heart-of-okanogan/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701231136/http://www.okanogancountry.com/region/heart-of-okanogan/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |title=Regions – Heart of the Okanogan |publisher=Okanogan County Tourism Council |access-date=May 3, 2013 }}</ref> A local recreational complex comprises a Native American wooden sculpture area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okanogancountry.com/arts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427074549/http://www.okanogancountry.com/arts/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2014 |title=Arts & Heritage |publisher=Okanogan County Tourism Council |access-date=May 3, 2013 }}</ref> Two functional movie theaters, the single screen Omak Theater, built in 1928, and the Mirage Theater with three screens, built in 2004, service the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/showtimes/theater.htm?id=5X0&p=.htm |title=Mirage Theater – Omak, Okanogan, Washington |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/showtimes/theater.htm?id=5X1&p=.htm |title=Omak Theater – Omak, Okanogan, Washington |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 8, 2013}}</ref> A [[drive-in theater]], with a capacity of 250 automobiles, was proposed in 1948, but never built.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ky1WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5642,5318029 |title=$50,000 Drive-In Theater to Rise |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=May 14, 1948 |access-date=June 8, 2013}}</ref>

The Omak Visitor Information Center{{mdash}}deemed the "best little information center in the west"{{mdash}}has historical images and a gift shop offering pamphlets regarding Okanogan County and surrounding regions.<ref name="spi" /> The Okanogan County Historical Museum comprises a historic fire hall, research center, genealogical area and a display of historical photographs or the area. The Omak Performing Arts Center{{mdash}}a 500-seat venue which hosts presentations, ceremonies, and performances{{mdash}}was built by Omak School District in 1989.<ref name="sifce" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://omakpac.org/about_32.html |title=Welcome |publisher=Omak Performing Arts Center |access-date=March 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225045908/http://omakpac.org/about_32.html |archive-date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> There is a {{convert|58,000|sqft|adj=on}} casino operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation since 2008, incorporating over 400 gaming machines, a [[convention center]], and an arcade.<ref>{{cite news|first=K.C. |last=Mehaffey |url=http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2008/jan/31/colville-tribes-to-build-new-omak-casino-in-the/ |title=Colville Tribes to build new Omak casino in the spring |work=The Wenatchee World |date=January 31, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2013}}</ref> Nearby Okanogan Bingo Casino, along U.S. Route 97, also primarily serves Omak, consisting of approximately 360 gaming machines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.colvillecasinos.com/casinos/okanogan-bingo-casino/ |title=Okanogan Bingo Casino |publisher=[[Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation]] |access-date=June 6, 2013 |archive-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701042514/http://www.colvillecasinos.com/casinos/okanogan-bingo-casino/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>