Weekly Events Calendar: July 29-August 4, 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 Nathan Gunter
I truly love this week’s event, because I grew up in western Oklahoma going to small-town free fairs. Hydro has my current favorite, but the whole state is dotted with community festivals that go back a century or more. That’s definitely the case in Mountain View, where the Mountain View Free Fair is happening this Thursday August 1 through Saturday August 3. This free fair has been bringing the fun to summertime since 1915, and as it does every year, it brings carnival rides—have YOU ever seen the Wichitas from the top of a Ferris wheel?—arts and crafts, exhibits, and no, not food trucks but hometown food stands. There’ll be displays on art and gardening and live entertainment throughout the weekend. Admission is free, and for more information, call (580) 347-3213.
August 1-3. Admission, free. mountainviewok.com

See Oklahoma as the birds do from atop the Ferris wheel at the Mountain View Free Fair. Photo courtesy Tim Greene / Mountain View Free Fair

By Kiersten Stone
Choo choo! All aboard the crazy train! This crazy train however is not the one that went off the rails with Ozzy Osbourne, but it is the one headed to Downtown Ponca City for Crazy Days on August 2-3. There will be downtown entertainment like live music, but most importantly there will be insane sales going on at local shops. Not to be forgotten either, this same weekend is Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend, so you can double down on savings with your shopping for clothing and footwear.
August 2-3. Admission, free. downtownponcacity.com

By Ben Luschen
It’s Bone and O’Shea Jackson. It’s Bone and The Earl Stevens.
They gone rock the party, rock the party.
It’s Bone and O’Shea Jackson. It’s Bone and The Earl Stevens.
They gone rock the party, rock the party.

Yes, some Notorious Thugs are on their way to Oklahoma City, but despite their reputations I think you’ll find they can be surprisingly pleasant fellows. Nineties rap fans already know what I’m talking about: The Legends of Hip-Hop Tour is stopping at the Zoo Amphitheatre this week, and it’s bringing the legendary E-40, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Ice Cube with it. Earl “E-40” Stevens is the Bay Area legend known for his distinctive voice and inventive vocabulary. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is arguably one of the biggest “bands” ever to come out of the rock ‘n’ roll city of Cleveland. And LA’s Ice Cube really needs no introduction, I mean, you can’t get bigger than the 2005 family comedy classic Are We There Yet? E-40 once famously told us to tell him “Where to Go.” Well Mr. Forty Water, make sure the tour bus finds its way to OKC’s Zoo Amp Friday, August 2, for this show beginning at 7:00 p.m. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT head to “Tha Crossroads” Mall. Wrong side of town, pals. But when you do make it here to the city, we promise everyone at the concert will be in for a “Good Day.”
August 2. Tickets, $64-$249. okczooamp.com.

By Megan Rossman
Gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee, boudin, and crawfish all are staples of good Cajun eating. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sausage links, and bologna all are staples of some good Oklahoma eating. When their powers combine, it's going to be a white-knuckle gastronomic ride through flavor town. And that’s exactly what you can expect at the eleventh annual United Way BBQ Showdown on August 2 and 3 at the Ardmore Regional Park in, you guessed it, Ardmore. On Friday, put your Nexium to the test with delicious Cajun specialties cooked up by competing teams. On Saturday, bring the wet naps, because the same teams will be battling it out over barbecue. Along with good grub, there will be cornhole, face painting, and a dunk tank to cool off those meat sweats. For more information, call (580) 221-6250.
August 2-3. Admission, $10. Children ten and under, $5. uwsco.org

Head out to the United Way BBQ Showdown in Ardmore to find out whose 'que reigns supreme. Photo courtesy Bosham Media

By Karlie Ybarra
Forget a kid in a candy shop—I wanna be a Karlie in a stationary store. There's so much potential in all of that paper, pens, greeting cards and other office supplies that you can't help but feel hopeful. Papryphilics will find even more to love at Stationery Store Day hosted by Chirps and Cheers in Oklahoma City. August 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the delightful little indie shop will host live art demos, giveaways, and more. There also will be deals on merchandise throughout the store, so it's a good time to stock up on desk necessities.
August 3. Admission, free. facebook.com.

Celebrate paper and paper accessories during Stationery Store Day at Chirps and Cheers in Oklahoma City. Photo courtesy Pexels

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.