Weekly Events Calendar: August 12-18, 2024

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.

By Karlie Ybarra
Hello my perfectionist (or recovering) perfectionist friends! Do you want to learn how to paint an acrylic portrait, color a landscape with pencils, or craft an abstract original with heat-set oils, but your heart grows cold at the idea of not achieving the perfect vision your first time at the canvas? Well, the OKC Painting Palooza is your chance to suck—and to enjoy sucking while you learn with other newbies from some very talented and patient instructors. In fact, August 11-17, the Oklahoma City Champion Convention Center will be filled with people who don’t know what the heck they’re doing but want to walk away with some new skills and more confidence in themselves. You can also purchase all kinds of supplies for expressing yourself and creating more mediocre masterpieces at home. At the end of the day, making something is always better than making nothing perfectly.
August 11-17. Registration, $55-$95. okcpaintingpalooza.com.

No matter their level of experience, paint enthusiasts will be able to come away with some interesting new knowledge and practice during the OKC Painting Palooza. Photo courtesy Pixabay

By Ben Luschen
Recently you all might remember Nathan enlightening us on the Mountain View Free Fair, so it only seems right to also bring up one of the oldest celebrations of its kind in the state, the Hydro Free Fair. It began in 1907 and, with the exception of a hiatus for World War I, has been running annually since then. Take part in this bastion of family fun in western Oklahoma this Thursday through Saturday in Hydro’s City Park, located at 3rd Street and Cowles Avenue. It’s the place with the Ferris wheel, you can’t miss it. Enjoy other rides like a merry-go-round and kiddie train; carnival games; fair food that includes delicious, refreshing sliced watermelon; a big parade; and dozens of horse, livestock, and agricultural competitions. And just like mother’s love, Tom Petty when he’s Fallin’, and this knuckle sandwich if you don’t act right, entry is absolutely, 100 percent FREE! You can’t beat that price, in this or any economy.
August 15-17. Admission, free. hydrofair.org.

By Nathan Gunter
So I heard that Justin Timberlake was at the BOK Center in Tulsa recently-ish. Yeah, that guy. Anyway, so Timbertoes asks the crowd if they call it the “bawk” center, and if the slogan is “Rock the Bawk,” and when they told him, no, that’s not what we do here in Tulsa, thank you, he got like really offended and kinda made a face and went on with his concert. But whatever.
That said, music-event branding is on my mind, and as excited as I am about the Blanchard Bluegrass Festival this Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17, I can’t help but think that Blanchard Bluegrass Blowout would be a better name. But whatever you want to call it, the BBF will kick off at Lions Park in Blanchard on Friday night with gospel music and continue with traditional bluegrass jams all through Saturday. Bring a lawn chair and some money for the food trucks, and if you play an instrument, bring that along too—there’ll be impromptu jams happening throughout the weekend. Just don’t expect anyone to help you move your grand piano into the park. For more information, call (405) 485-9260.
August 16-17. Admission, free. cityofblanchard.us/events

By Kiersten Stone
Giddy up, yall! We’re going to the Elgin Rodeo! A true southwestern Oklahoma tradition, hundreds to thousands gather each year at the rodeo grounds to support their favorite cowfolk. With traditional rodeo events, live entertainment, unique vendors, and, of course, concessions, the Elgin Rodeo will be the place to be August 16-17. But hold your horses, because Saturday night after the rodeo there will be a live band playing. So dust off your boots and get ready for a weekend of fun. Tickets at the gate are cash only and will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 5-14, free for ages under 5. For more information, call 580-695-8343.
August 16-17. Admission, $5-$10. facebook.com

Broncs and bulls will do their best to toss riders during this weekend's Elgin Rodeo. Photo courtesy Elgin Rodeo Association

By Megan Rossman
If you’ve ever been to lunch with me, you may have heard me say to our server, “Excuse me, but we require more pickles,” and seen the bemused look on that person’s face, because they simply do not understand the critical role that pickles occupy in my life. You probably haven’t been to lunch with me, but if you have an insatiable—or satiable—craving for pickles, like me, then you’ll want to chase your urges to Hughes County. On August 17, they’re bringing the business of brine to several towns with a trail of local establishments offering pickled goods for sale during Pickle Fest. Rocky Top Winery, Granny's Garden, Okie Trading Post, T-Jay's Diner, Durbinshire Farm, Lambert's Farm and Ranch, and Sister Act III are on the list of participating locations that will be offering products and special treats like pickle-flavored popcorn, snow cones, candy, and—my personal favorite—pickled peaches. Because each place has different operating hours, and opening times vary between 8:00 a.m. and noon, I would advise arriving around 10:00 a.m. or earlier to be sure you can hit up as many spots as possible. For more information, call (405) 380-2045, and visit TravelOK.com to see a brochure with more detailed information on the event listing page.
August 17. Admission, free. facebook.com

Fans of fun and fermented cucumbers will be right at home during Pickle Fest this Saturday in Atwood. Photo courtesy Handcrafted & Homegrown Shopping Trail

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.