Weekly Events Calendar, August 28-September 3, 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.

Did you know that lawmakers considered making Oklahoma an all-Black state? It’s true! And while those plans fell by the wayside, Oklahoma did have a number of all-Black towns—many of which are still around today. Learn more about the thirteen historically all-Black towns during the Black Towns Motorcycle Tour. Stops along the way include Black Wall Street and the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Langston, Tullahassee, Boley, Tatums, and more. Take a trip you’ll never forget and return with information you can’t wait to share. September 1-2. Registration, free. 13blacktownstour.com

Bixby hosts a down-and-dirty obstacle race during Conquer the Gauntlet at 181 Ranch. Photo courtesy Conquer the Gauntlet

Fans of Marvel movies know that Thanos—the big bad guy of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame—is a fashionista at heart. And his accessory of choice? The Infinity Gauntlet, of course. There’s a slightly different gauntlet at play in Bixby during the Conquer the Gauntlet Obstacle Race at the 181 Ranch. Here, instead of trying to exterminate half of all life in the universe, competitors will challenge a four-mile obstacle course that will have them climbing the walls, crawling through mud, and pushing them to their limits. Also better than Thanos are the prizes for finishers: a T-shirt and bragging rights. So much better than Thor’s axe-hammer to the head. September 2. Tickets, $75-$95 and $10 parking. conquerthegauntlet.com

By definition, a blue moon occurs once every two or three years. It’s kind of a big deal. But in Rentiesville, music lovers can enjoy three consecutive blues moons—that’s three days and nights of amazing blues music—at the Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival at the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame. With thirty bands playing on three stages, both indoors and out, fans of this truly American artform can soak in all the my baby left mes and haw haw haw haws they can handle. And with an arts and music village for the kids, this festival is perfect for all ages. September 1-3. Tickets, $20 per night. dcminnerblues.com

Get the blues so bad AND so good during the Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival in Rentiesville. Photo courtesy D.C. Minner Blues

Celebrating the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, the annual Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah brings in tribal members and visitors from around the globe to immerse themselves in Cherokee heritage. Kids will especially love the Holiday, which includes traditional First American games like blowgun shooting and stickball, a parade, and more. For the grown ups, there are quilt and car shows, vendors selling authentic pottery and blankets, and inter-tribal powwows on Friday and Saturday nights. September 1-3. Admission, free. thecherokeeholiday.com

Stop by the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah during Cherokee National Holiday for ancient village tours and demonstrations. Photo courtesy Cherokee Nation

While Tulsa and Oklahoma City draw in plenty of big name acts, fans of bombastic rock music know there’s no better place to see the headliners of the last few decades than Pryor. This year’s Rocklahoma music festival is a three-day intensive seminar on pyrotechnics, squealing guitars, and exuberant crowds with keynote speakers, er, performers including Rob Zombie, Limp Bizkit, Godsmack, and more. Whether coming out for a day or settling down to camp for a few days, the atmosphere at Rocklahoma is electric and eclectic with organizers estimating about 40,000 attendees. September 1-3. Tickets, $99-$839. rocklahoma.com

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.