Oklahomans get festive this weekend at El Reno Burger Day, Prague Kolache Fest, Downtown Edmond Arts Fest and more
Ethan Anaya, 5, plays among the yard art during the 2010 Edmond Arts Festival in downtown Edmond. (Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman Archives)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
BAM column: Oklahomans get festive this weekend
Throughout the spring and summer and even into autumn, Oklahoma communities will host an array of outdoor celebrations centered on various themes, from visual arts and live music to local wildlife and cultural cuisine. The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival, El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day Festival and Prague Kolache Festival are all set for this weekend.
Last weekend, the Festival of the Arts and Norman Music Festival brought thousands of art lovers and music fans to downtown Oklahoma City and Norman, respectively.
But Oklahoma’s festival season is hardly over; in fact, the festivities have barely begun.
Members of the El Reno Fire Dept. and other city workers place a bun on a huge onion fried burger during the 2009 El Reno Burger Day Festival in downtown El Reno. (Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman Archives)
Throughout the spring and summer and even into autumn, Oklahoma communities will host a myriad of outdoor celebrations centered on various themes, from visual arts and live music to cultural cuisine and even local flora and fauna.
The first weekend in May is always particularly festive in our fair state, and I’ve listed here a few of the events going on in the next day or so. To learn more about more Oklahoma festivals, go to www.wimgo.com or www.travelok.com.
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival: Organizers are promising more artists, music and food vendors and expecting more patrons at this year’s event. More than 110 artists from across the country will showcase their wares, ranging from pottery and paintings to jewelry and sculptures, and the fest will offer a children’s area, the famed Othello’s Spaghetti Slurp-off and a new chalk-drawing contest. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Just Diggit Band will play a Concert on the Plaza from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Information: 249-9391 or www.downtownedmondok.com.
El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day Festival: Live music, children’s activities and a car and motorcycle show are all on the itinerary Saturday in downtown El Reno. But the main attraction, of course, is the 800-pound version of El Reno’s famed fried onion burger that local firefighters cook up every year. Plus, Food Network will have a crew in town this year to film a segment for a new show. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Information: 262-8888 or www.elrenoburgerday.com.
Prague Kolache Festival: If you prefer to celebrate a sweeter delicacy, it’s hard to beat the flaky, fruity, yummy goodness of these Czech pastries. But Saturday’s festival isn’t just about noshing little sweet breads filled with cherry, apricots and the like, it’s also a celebration of the town’s Czech heritage. Other activities happening on Main Street and around town include polka music, dancing, a parade, beer garden, wine pavilion and a carnival. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Information: (405) 567-4866 or www.praguekolachefestival.com.
Bixby BBQ ’n Music Festival: Officially sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, this fest is one of the largest barbecue competitions in the state. Live music, children’s activities, paintball targeting, NASCAR simulator and rock wall are on the menu, but again, the main draw has to be the food. On Saturday, festival-goers can buy a People’s Choice Award taster kit that will let them sample a select number of the teams’ offerings and help pick a winner. The festival is set for 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Washington Irving Park, 137 and S Memorial. Information: www.bixbyrotarybbq.com.
Yukon’s Festival of the Child: Kids can burn off plenty of calories, as well as indulge their artistic
Customers search for their favorite flavor of kolaches inside the Prague Bakery at the 2008 Prague Kolache Festival. (Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman Archives)
tendencies and stretch their imaginations at this one-day outdoor event. Yukon celebrates youth with more than 50 activities, including storytelling, art workshops, pony rides, balloon animals, a build-and-grow workshop, magic show, rock wall, Festival Fun Zone and more Saturday at Yukon City Park, 2200 S Holly Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Information: 350-8937 or www.cityofyukonok.gov.
Claremore’s Lilac Festival: Attendees can buy and plant a lilac bush in honor of Claremore-born writer Lynn Riggs, who penned the play “Green Grow the Lilacs,” which was adapted into the musical “Oklahoma!” Other festivities set for Saturday in downtown include children’s activities, an art show, free stage entertainment, a wiener dog race and an old-fashioned cake walk. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Information: (877) 341-8688 or www.downtownclaremore.org.
Okeene Rattlesnake Round-Up: Billed as the oldest rattlesnake hunt in the world has grown into a full-blown, three-day festival including a parade, carnival, horseshoe tournament, poker run, hamburger fry, street dances and live music. The downtown festivities uncoil Friday when snake hunt registration begins; participants must be registered to hunt, buy or sell snakes. Caravans will be available to transport visitors to the snake-hunting grounds, and the butcher shop opens Saturday and will be peddling fresh snake meat. Although I shudder at the thought, I must mention the festival’s Den of Death, where attendees can watch snake handlers put on a show with live rattlesnakes. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Information: (580) 822-3005 or www.okeenerattlesnakehunt.com.
-BAM
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