Merle Haggard was originally slated to headline the final night of G Fest, but he died two months before the festival took place. The festival was dedicated to his memory. The opening of the third day included a proclamation by Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallin, officially making it "Merle Haggard Day,"[2] the unveiling of a "Merle Haggard Ave" street sign that will be placed in front of the Muskogee Civic Center[1], and a video of a planned "Merle Haggard Plaza" that will include a life-size statue of Haggard. Artist Richard Hight concluded the ceremony by painting a portrait of Haggard live on stage while "Okie from Muskogee" was playing in the background.[3]
