From Steamroller Print Fest to Woolly Weekend, spring festivals bring fun across Oklahoma
Despite the storms that sometimes plague the Sooner State, springtime often brings some of the prettiest weather Oklahomans get to enjoy during the year.
With the mild temperatures, greening trees and the flowering landscape enticing Okies outdoors, festivals of all varieties are popping up like daffodils across the state.
Here are some of the festivals springing up in Oklahoma this season:
Art and dance festivals
Steamroller Print Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 22.
Where: Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3 in downtown OKC’s Deep Deuce.
Information: https://www.1ne3.org/steamroller-2023.
The sixth annual fest draws about 200 artists, students and printmakers from across the state. The highlight will involve artists inking carved woodblocks that are then printed by a 5-ton steamroller.
Festival of the Arts
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 25-29 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 30.
Where: Bicentennial Park, Colcord and Couch drives, and City Hall lawn
Information: https://www.artscouncilokc.com/festival-of-the-arts.
The free, six-day event known as OKC's "rite of spring" features works by 144 visual artists from around the country, a variety of fare from 30 food vendors, entertainment by more than more than 100 performing artists, children's activities and more.
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Calderón Dance Festival
When: Noon to 8 p.m. May 7.
Where: Plaza District, 1700 block of NW 16, OKC.
Information: https://www.plazadistrict.org.
The second annual free, family-friendly event will bring performers from across the nation and state to celebrate the legacy of the late Shannon Calderón-Primeau, a beloved OKC dancer and dance teacher.
Paseo Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 27-28 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29.
Where: Paseo Arts District, between NW 28 and Walker and NW 30 and Dewey, OKC.
Information: www.thepaseo.org.
A Memorial Day weekend tradition, the 46th annual festival showcases works by visiting and neighborhood visual artists, along with Oklahoma entertainers, food vendors, children's art activities and more.
History and culture festivals
89er Celebration and Parade
When: All day April 22.
When: Downtown Guthrie.
Information: https://www.89erdays.com.
Festivities include a carnival, rodeo and costume contest. The 94th annual parade will start at noon April 22.
Oklahoma Renaissance Festival
When: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday April 29-June 4, plus May 29.
Where: Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee.
Information: https://www.okcastle.com/renaissance.
Family-friendly activities include jousting tournaments, performances by traveling acrobats, Bird of Prey exhibitions, festive food and shopping for handcrafted items.
Red Fern Festival
When: Noon to 9 p.m. April 28 and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 29.
Where: Downtown Norris Park, Tahlequah.
Information: https://www.tahlequahmainstreet.com/red-fern-festival.html.
The 15th annual event celebrates the legacy of the 1961 children's novel "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Oklahoma novelist Wilson Rawls as well as the 1974 film adaptation. Activities include hound dog field trials, 1930s era children's games, live music and more.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
When: 4 to 9 p.m. May 5.
Where: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7, downtown OKC.
Information: https://www.okchispanicchamber.org.
The free event features live entertainment, music, food and more.
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 5-6 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7.
Where: Downtown Edmond.
Information: https://downtownedmondok.com/downtown-edmond-arts-festival.
More than 140 artists will exhibit and sell their work at this free event, which also features festive food, children's activities and live music.
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Stirling Classic Scottish Festival
When: May 19-21.
Where: Mollie Spencer Farm, 1001 S Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon.
Information: https://molliespencerfarm.org/events.
The festivities include traditional Scottish athletics, live music and dance, children's activities and more.
Bethany 66 Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 27.
Where: One-block area from NW 38, north to NW 39 Expressway, between Peniel and Asbury, Bethany.
Information: www.bethany66.com.
Free festivities include live music, a car show, children's activities and parade, arts and craft booths, food vendors and more.
Chuck Wagon Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 27-28.
Where: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63, OKC.
Information: nationalcowboymuseum.org.
This family favorite features outdoor cooking, artisan demonstrations, Western reenactors, archery, country and Western dancing, craft stations, a petting zoo and live music.
Black Wall Street Legacy Festival
When: May 27.
Where: In and around the Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N Greenwood Ave., Tulsa.
Information: https://www.blackwallstreetlegacyfest.com.
The free, all-ages series of events commemorates the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Music and film festivals
Wide Open Experimental Film Festival
When: 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. April 22 and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. April 23.
Where: Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Noble Theater, 415 Couch Drive.
Information: wideopeneff.com.
In its second year, the festival showcases experimental films that open people's eyes to the alternative forms, structures and styles.
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Bare Bones International Independent Film Festival
When: April 26-30.
Where: Roxy Theater, 220 W Okmulgee Ave., Muskogee.
Information: www.barebonesfilmfestival.org.
The “no frills” fest features film screenings, panels, screenplay readings and more.
Norman Music Festival
When: April 27-29.
Where: Walker Arts District, downtown Norman.
Information: https://normanmusicfestival.com.
The free, nonprofit, independent festival annually brings hundreds of acts and thousands of music fans to downtown Norman for three days of live music at several indoor and outdoor venues. Headliners include Black Belt Eagle Scout, Soul Glo, Acid Dad, Wine Lips, Illuminati Hotties, Cola and Oklahoma acts Nia Mone, Jabee and Hosty.
Tumbleweed Calf Fry Festival
When: May 4-6.
Where: Tumbleweed Dance Hall, Lakeview and Country Club roads, Stillwater.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/TumbleweedDanceHall.
The venerable “testicle festival” will serve up a country music menu including Casey Donahew, Parker McCollum, Read Southall Band, Giovannie & The Hired Guns and more.
Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café
When: May 7.
Where: Five venues in Stillwater.
Information: https://www.reddirtrelieffund.org/gypsycafe.
Oklahoma’s largest homegrown songwriter festival features acoustic song swap sets from 70 Sooner State acts, including Cody Canada, Monica Taylor, John Fullbright, Bryon White and Carter Sampson. The festival benefits the nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund.
Heard on Hurd Street Festivals
When: 6 to 10 p.m. May 20.
Where: Corner of Broadway and Hurd, downtown Edmond.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/heardonhurd.
Every third Saturday from March through October, the monthly street festival showcases live, local music and a variety of food trucks and pop-up shops.
Flower and wildlife festivals
Azalea Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through April 30.
Where: Honor Heights Park, 1400 Honor Heights Drive, Muskogee.
Information: https://www.muskogeeparks.org.
Celebrate spring as the azalea, tulip, dogwood and wisteria buds opens.
Woolly Weekend
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 27-29.
Where: Shepherd’s Cross sheep farm, 16792 E 450 Road, Claremore.
Information: https://shepherdscross.com.
Take in the “shear” spectacle of sheep getting their dramatic haircuts during the annual open house at Shepherd’s Cross. Spinning, weaving, hand dying, felting, knitting and more will be demonstrated as the wool is taking from “sheep to shawl.”
Mangum Rattlesnake Derby
When: April 28-30.
Where: Greer County Courthouse Square, 106 E Jefferson St., Mangum.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/shortgrassrattlesnakeassociation.
The long-running, small-town rattlesnake festival also will include a flea market, cornhole tournament, food vendors and more.
OKC Flower and Garden Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13.
Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave.
Information: myriadgardens.org/okcflowerandgardenfest.
Featuring more than 50 local vendors, the free event will showcase flowers, herbs and succulents along with jewelry pieces and one-of-a-kind garden art and crafts.
Children’s Gardening Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3-4.
Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens' Children's Garden.
Information: https://myriadgardens.org.
From bugs to plants, explore all things gardening while checking out food trucks and vendors.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Looking for things to do in Oklahoma? These spring festivals bring fun
