Weekly Events Calendar, August 16-22, 2021

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.

Livestock shows are just the tip of the fun iceberg at the Ottawa County Free Fair in Miami this week. Photo courtesy Ottawa County Free Fair

Free Play

Free has a few meanings. In the case of the Ottawa County Free Fair, it means that no tickets are necessary to attend. But it might also refer to the freedom of organizers to cram every single kind of event into this week-long hootenanny. Through August 21, there’s a series of livestock shows at the Maimi Fairgrounds. And starting August 17 there’s the Great Plains Amusements Carnival that runs five days. There are also dog shows, a truck- and tractor-pull demos, a youth rodeo, and lots of food and craft vendors selling their fares and wares. The real question here is, are you free to attend? Through August 21. Admission, Free. facebook.com/ottawacountyokfair

TiK ToK Before TikTok

Before the short-form video app TikTok became a thing that perplexes people older than twenty-seven, there was “TiK ToK” by Kesha, a talented recording artist who perplexed people older than twenty-seven. When the high-energy performer hits the stage at The Criterion in Oklahoma City, you can finally combine the two by recording a snippet of her signature song for sharing on your phone. Or, you know, just enjoy the living human in front of you belting out some of the best dance songs in a generation. August 17. Tickets, $49.50-$94.50. (405) 840-5500 or criterionokc.com/event/kesha

Competitors at the Brave the Mud Run know how to play dirty. Photo courtesy Women's Crisis Services of Leflore County

Fun with Wet Dirt

Ho-ho-hoooooboy, there’s going to be a lot of dirty Santas at this year’s Brave the Mud Run in Poteau. The theme for the messy obstacle course race is Christmas in the Mud, so you’re sure to see dusty reindeer, elves caked in dirt, and maybe even an abominable sludgeman. However they’re dressed, participants are raising money for the Women’s Crisis Services of Leflore County. It’s a down-and-dirty way to help those in need. Use code "take10" at checkout for a discount. August 21. Registration, $55-$60. facebook.com/BraveTheMudRun

Repeating History

Amateur Doctors Frankenstein know full well that bringing the dead back to life is a dicey proposition at best, even if you’ve got access to fire. So take the easy way out and enjoy History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip this Saturday at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Rather than actually reanimating corpses, the museum has wisely gathered living reenactors to show off the workings of its historic Humphrey Heritage Village from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Learn a trade, talk to the townsfolk at the Village Church, and stake a claim in the Land Office. Play the part well enough and who knows? Maybe you’ll be asked to reenact some history at next month’s event. August 21. Admission, $4-$7. (580) 237-1907 or csrhc.org

The Robert Allen Band is one of several acts playing the inaugural Music on Maine Festival in Enid. Photo by Nancy Killam Photography

Maine Event

Remember when you’d read the comments on an internet post and invariably the first one says, “First!”? Also, remember when it was okay to read the comments on an internet post? Enjoy the glory of being “First!” by attending the inaugural Music on Maine Festival outside Enid Brewing Company & Eatery this weekend. Dakota Murillo kicks off the thirteen-hour free music festival at 11:30 a.m. with performances from The Strangles, Beautiful Disaster, the Robert Allen Band, and more to follow. Plus enjoy shopping, kids activities, art, and more fun for the family. August 21. Admission, Free. enidbrewing.com/weekends-on-maine

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.