Weekly Events Calendar, October 2-8, 2023

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

Enjoy a hearty plate of an Oklahoma classic at the National Indian Taco Championship in Pawhuska. Photo courtesy Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce

Sometimes, festival food is so expensive the whole family has to eat before you go, just to save some coin. But do not eat before heading to Pawhuska for the annual National Indian Taco Championship. Dig into one of Oklahoma's favorite foods while listening to local bands, peeping the Native American dance demonstrations, and shopping a variety of craft vendor booths. And even though kids love craft vendor booths, there are also inflatables and children's games to play once you drag them away from the handcrafted olive wood spoon rests. October 7. Admission, free. pawhuskachamber.com

Sate your hunger for Cajun cooking at the Grayson Community Center during the annual Filé Gumbo Festival. In addition to homemade baked goods, canned goods, and turkey legs, guests will be digging into bowls of steaming hot seafood gumbo and testing their marksmanship skills at the turkey shoot. There are plenty of antiques for sale, live music for free, and raffle tickets that are for sale, but then if you win, you get something for free. October 7. Admission, free. facebook.com

Make your inner Hank Williams sing with a bowl at the Filé Gumbo Festival in Grayson. Photo courtesy Canva

Villainess? Criminal mastermind? Maybe just a very unlucky lady? Celebrate one of the most famous female outlaws of all time—even if her alleged misdeeds were blown way out of proportion—in the town of Porum during Belle Starr Day. Learn more about the famed bandit queen of the west with outlaw look-a-likes in attendance. Guests will be riding high listening to Main Street Martyr, TD & the Drift, and Mountain Grove Bluegrass, among other artists, perusing the car show, and watching the young ones go absolutely bonkers for carnival rides. There's also a street dance to cap off the day. October 7. Admission, free. facebook.com

Head to Porum to celebrate Belle Starr Day with cowpokes of all sizes. Photo provided

It's the time of year when the spice of pumpkins finds its way into any and every product, which means fall is mercifully here. Look forward to the cooler temperatures and multi-colored leaves during Dewar Harvest Festival. It all starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by hay rides, lawn mower races, and a chili cook-off. Let the young and young-at-heart try their luck at carnival games before closing out a glorious day in this family friendly extravaganza. October 7. Admission, free. facebook.com

Art and science need not be at odds, and the proof is in the brewing at the Art of Beer events at Oklahoma City's Automobile Alley. Sip on several varieties of local beers from Skydance Brewing, Vanessa House Beer Co., and Prairie Artisan Ales while listening to live music programmed by Factory Obscura. There will be lawn games, for those who cannot imbibe without playing a round of cornhole, and a community mural from Oklahoma Contemporary. October 8. Admission, free. automobilealley.org

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.