Septemberfest to offer free family fun Saturday; Gov. Mary Fallin and first gentleman hosting for first time
Allexady Clark, 3, isn't sure what to think as a pony nuzzles her hand during Septemberfest 2010 at the Governor's Mansion in Oklahoma City. (By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman Archives)
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Septemberfest to celebrate Oklahoma heritage and culture
For the first time, Gov. Mary Fallin and first gentleman Wade Christensen will host the annual free family festival Saturday at the Governor’s Mansion and Oklahoma History Center.
When Mary Fallin served as lieutenant governor, she often took her children to the Governor’s Mansion to learn about agriculture, do arts and crafts and hear a story.
“Septemberfest is a great opportunity for Oklahomans to come and see the governor’s house, to walk around the grounds of the mansion itself and even come into the house. But it’s also a great opportunity for them to be able to learn about the state of Oklahoma,” Fallin said in a recent phone interview. “It’s a wonderful event with so many diverse glimpses of Oklahoma, from our Western heritage to art to sports and dance from people of all cultures.”
For the first time, Gov. Fallin and her husband, first gentleman Wade Christensen, are hosting Septemberfest, a free fall festival Gov. Frank Keating and first lady Cathy Keating started in 1997. The activity-packed, family-friendly event is organized by the nonprofit Friends of the Mansion and hosted each year by the governor and first family.
“We’re very excited to host Septemberfest. This will be my husband’s first Septemberfest to go to, so he’s really looking forward to it,” said Fallin, who was inaugurated in January.
“It’s a wonderful time for kids,” she added. “When my children were young, they always enjoyed
Gov. Mary Fallin and her husband, Wade Christensen, shown during her Jan. 10 inauguration, will host for the first time the annual Septemberfest free family festival Saturday at the Governor's Mansion and Oklahoma History Center. (Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman Archives)
going over and listening to the governor read a book … and seeing the arts and the crafts. They always enjoyed all the different things that were to do.”
Septemberfest chairman Jim Hasenbeck said the event celebrates all things Oklahoma with a myriad of activities.
“As always, it’s free, completely free, and people are welcome to bring their picnic lunch and sit out and eat,” he said, adding that food vendors will sell festive fare along Philips Avenue. “You can come and go and see all the venues and do all the activities for no charge.”
The Governor’s Mansion will be open for tours, which this year will be expanded to take in the third floor, including the ballroom.
On the mansion grounds, returning favorites will include the hay bale maze, carriage and barrel train rides, hands-on arts and crafts, rock climbing wall and historic re-enactors. In the sports area, a new rowing station will teach visitors about the kinds of boats often seen on the Oklahoma River these days.
The cultural stage, which will be moved this year to the north side of the mansion, will feature a wide variety of live entertainment, from kindie rockers Sugar Free Allstars and Vietnamese Dragon Dancers to the Hasinai Youth Performers of the Caddo Nation and African drummer/storyteller Al Bostick.
The Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and local police, fire and rescue teams will display some of the machines and equipment they use in emergencies on NE 23, which will be closed between the mansion and the Oklahoma History Center.
The history center will offer free admission during the event. New exhibits at the center include “The Return of Elegance: An Evening Wear Collection,” which features 29 beautiful 20th century gowns,” and “Pickin’ and Grinnin’: Roy Clark, ‘ Hee Haw’ & Country Humor,” which highlights the many Oklahoma connections with the venerable TV show.
“It’s a wonderful museum that showcases our state’s great history, its wonderful people, places and events,” Fallin said.
Under the big trees outside the Governor’s Mansion, Fallin will continue the tradition of the governor reading books to young attendees.
“I do think it’s very important for our children of Oklahoma to see the governor reading and for the governor to encourage … children to read and practice their reading. I’ve talked a lot this past year about the importance of education and how important that is our children read at grade-appropriate level and that reading is the key to successful learning,” she said.
Since her husband grew up on a farm, Fallin said he is looking forward to exploring the agricultural venue, where hands-on roping, cow milking and other demonstrations will be offered and the peanut, wheat and dairy commissions will hand out treats. At the first gentleman’s suggestion, a combine will be added to this year’s tractor exhibit, Hasenbeck said.
“For kids that have never really been out on the farm to see how big those machines are and what they do, I think it’s pretty neat. It’s definitely an important piece of machinery that’s used in one of Oklahoma’s economies, in the wheat industry,” Hasenbeck said.
Since they have such fond memories, Fallin is hopeful her two children, along with her four stepchildren, will be able to stop by Septemberfest, even though they are grown with busy lives. After all, the event truly offers attractions for all ages.
“My boys are looking forward to seeing the Thunder Girls,” she said with a laugh. “Typical boys.”
Going on
15th annual Septemberfest
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Governor’s Mansion, 820 NE 23, and Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive.
Admission: Free, including free admission to Oklahoma History Center.
Road closing: NE 23 will be closed between the mansion and history center during the event.
Information: 557-0198.
-BAM
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