Summer Centennial Events in Oklahoma

This year, Oklahoma will celebrate it's 100^th anniversary, and the state is ready to party! There are several events scheduled throughout the year, including festivals, land runs, and the construction of monuments and parks to commemorate the occasion. While Oklahoma's official birthday is November 16^th, most of the state's celebrations will take place this summer- making it a great season to explore the great state of Oklahoma!

The festivals planned for summer 2007 all promise an exciting time and opportunity for visitors to learn more about Oklahoma's exciting and remarkable history. Many communities around the state are turning their annual festivals into special centennial celebrations, guaranteed to bring out the Sooner spirit in us all! So, resident or visitor, check out some of these centennial celebrations this summer- and learn a little about Oklahoma!

May 11-13
Oklahoma Centennial Land Run
Flying W Ranch
Sayre

You don't want to miss this- an authentic re-enactment of the 1893 Land Run. Visitors can sit back and watch the "homesteaders" race for a plot- or join in the race for even more fun! The ranch plans on allowing 300 lucky participants join the race (applications can be requested on the Flying W Ranch website ). Homesteaders must dress in period clothing, and can bring a horse and/or wagon if they desire. The ranch also plans many other events, including stage coach rides, wild west shows, and concerts.

May 24-26
61st Annual Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo
Stampede Arena
Claremore

The annual Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo hosts several events, including bull riding, team roping, calf roping, rodeo clowns, barrel racing, and bronc busing. Kids can join in the fun by participating in the Muttin Bustin' and calf-roping contests. Claremore will also have a parade, Miss Rodeo contest, and a rodeo dance every night.

May 26-27
Chuck Wagon Gathering & Children's Cowboy Festival
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Oklahoma City

Always fun, the National Cowboy & Western Museum has planned an exciting, authentic chuck wagon adventure. An outdoor festival, this event is packed with family-friendly activities. In it's seventeenth year, the festival generally attracts more than 10,000 visitors, and is sure to bring out the cowboy in all! Some of the activities planned are stagecoach and covered-wagon rides, rope-making, stage entertainment, and genuine cowboy foods- such as beans, cobblers, biscuits, and stews. Check out the museum's website for more information.

May 29- June 3
Sante Fe Trail Daze
Boise City

An annual event, this six-day festival includes a working ranch rodeo. The town pulls out all the stops, and the schedule is packed with local music, free tours on the Santa Fe Trail, an historic parade, western dance, horseshoe pitching, an antique car show and the World Championship Post Hole Digging Contest. Weekend visitors beware- those not in western wear may be 'picked up' by the traveling jail! For more information, visit the Cimarron County Chamber of Commerce.

June 1-3
Oklahoma Pioneer Exposition
Cleveland County Fairgrounds
Norman

The Fourth Annual Oklahoma Pioneer Exposition promises to be a family favorite, complete with live entertainment, pony rides, tractor pulls, crafts, and several historic demonstrations. Perhaps the 'yummiest' of the centennial events, the festival promises several food demonstrations, such as bread and cinnamon roll baking. Admission and parking to the event is free, and RV parking is available.

June 1-2
Haskell Fest 100
Haskell

Dress up in your favorite pioneer clothes, and check out Haskell's centennial celebration. Enjoy the carnival, great food, and wild contests all weekend long! You definitely don't want to miss the Nail Driving Contest, Seed Spiting Contest, or the Greased Pig Catch! The kids will enjoy learning to trick rope with "The Oklahoma Kid" and dance under the stars at the street dance.

June 15
Plymouth Time Capsule Unearthed
Tulsa

Possibly the most looked-forward events of the centennial, the unearthing of a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The car, buried in 1957 as part of Tulsa's "Golden Jubilee Week", serves as a time capsule and was filled with items of the time. Local residents also entered a contest, guessing what Tulsa's population would be in 2007- the winner gets the car. The unearthing and unveiling of the car will be part of an auto festival that will include a parade, classic car show, and sock hop. Visit here for more information.

June 2-3
Chisholm Trail Roundup
Kirkpatrick Family Farm
Yukon

Yukon, home to native Oklahoman Garth Brooks, hosts the Chisholm Trail Roundup. The event will have Old West re-enactors, chuck-wagon cooking, hatchet throwing, gunfights, and Native American dancing in addition to several prairie craft demonstrations such as beadwork, quilting, spinning, and lace making. A family celebration, the kids will enjoy the petting zoo, craft tents, pony rides, and the stick horse rodeo! Visit here for more information.

June 21-24
National Route 66 Festival
Clinton

An annual event celebration the historic Route 66, the national festival is held in a different city each year. Clinton is proud to host the event this year, representing Oklahoma, which is home to more drivable miles of the famed highway than any other state. A true Oklahoma small town, Clinton is planning many several events for the festival, such as the Route 66 Golf Tournament, Will Rogers Awards Banquet, along with special activities at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.

June 19-23
Founders Day
Duncan

A celebration of the city's birth in June of 1892, the event consists of a Juneteenth festival, several main street activities, historical home tours, a rodeo, and various other entertainment. On June 23^rd, the city will host the Grand Opening of W.T. Foreman Prairie House. The Duncan Little Theatre will present a re-enactment of the 1907 "wedding" of the Twin Territories. The event will feature several Made In Okalahoma products, square dancing, and Native American displays.

June 28-July 4
Liberty Fest
Mitch Park, UCO
Edmond

An Independence Day celebration, LibertyFest boasts a general attendance of over 125,000 people, and hosts Oklahoma's largest hometown Fourth of July parade. A week long event, LibertyFest was selected as one of the top ten places to be in America on July 4th by CNN & USA Today. The final day of the festivity kicks off with the parade, and is followed by the largest fireworks show in the OKC metro area. Other events scheduled include a car show, rodeo, fun tents for the kids (like the Toddler Time Tent and the Jurassic Play land), and adventure zones for the brave (such as the Incredible Hulk Obstacle Course), and lots more fun booths to visit, LibertyFest is an attraction not to be missed.

July 4
Celebrate America Country Style
Downtown Poteau

Authentic pioneer activities abound at this festival in downtown Poteau, and visitors can learn about quilting, butter churning, knife making, and more. There are several fun events for kids and adults alike, such as an apple pie contest, gunfight re-enactments, kid's fishing booth, and water games. Speakers will talk about the "Road to Statehood", and the evening will end with a fireworks show.

July 20-21
Hot Dog Daze
Clinton

Sponsored by Bar-S Foods, producers of Made In Oklahoma foods, this event draws the crowds with the promise of free hot dogs for everyone! Downtown Clinton turns out for the parade and other events, including a cutest cowgirl and cowboy contest and a wiener dog race. Held the same weekend as the local rodeo, Hot Dog Daze is a chance for real, small-town excitement.

July 4
Freedom Fest
Yukon City Park & Chisholm Trail Park
Yukon

An annual event drawing families from around the state, Freedom Fest features such family favorites like moon bounces, a petting zoo, free swimming, and much more. Adults will enjoy the Mid-America Street Rod Car Show, and may get a little exercise during the family relay! Visitors will be sure to stick around the catch the fireworks show following a live performance by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

August 10-12
Cimarron River Stampede Rodeo!
Downtown Waynoka & Rodeo Grounds

An annual rodeo, this year's theme is Happy Birthday Oklahoma! Downtown Waynoka will host a parade, with participants dressed in pioneer period clothing. The town plans an old-fashioned birthday party for Oklahoma Saturday night, complete with cake, homemade ice cream, and Native American dancers. Don't miss he rodeo- souvenir pendants will be handed out to the crowd each night.