Weekly Events Calendar, June 26-July 2, 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.

Nobody would have blamed Rodgers and Hammerstein for hanging up their pianos after creating the consensus pick for the world's greatest musical, also known as Oklahoma!, but it turns out they had a few more bars under their belts. See (and hear) for yourself when Lyric Theatre presents The Sound of Music at Oklahoma City's historic Civic Center Music Hall. With a cast seventy-five members strong and a live orchestra, this show will almost certainly become one of your "favorite things." June 27-July 2. Tickets, $42-$106. lyrictheatreokc.com

Join Cherokee storyteller Tonya Still in Tahlequah for Stories on the Square. Photo courtesy Cherokee Nation

We all learn differently. Some people don't even have to touch a hot stove to know it's off limits. Learn the Cherokee Nation way during Stories on the Square at Tahlequah's Cherokee National Peace Pavilion as native storyteller Tonya Still brings traditional stories to life, passing on the history and mythology of the tribe to a new generation. Stick around after the stories to receive a make-and-take cornhusk flower kit. June 28. Admission, free. visitcherokeenation.com

Don't expect any appearances by Johnny Ringo at Jay's annual Huckleberry Festival, but there's plenty else to look forward to as the entire town takes part in the event. After sweating through the Huckleberry 5K, visitors can slurp down a cool huckleberry milkshake or a tall glass of huckleberry lemonade while waiting for the barbecue at the hog fry or watching the tricycle race. Is there a root beer chug-a-lug contest? Darn tootin' there is. And it all wraps up with the roping and riding fun of the Huckleberry Festival Rodeo at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. June 29-July 1. Admission, free. facebook.com

No need to wait for the Fourth, as the Johnston County Red, White, & Boom Celebration in Tishomingo will light up the sky this weekend. Photo by Pexels

Blake Shelton's stomping grounds know a thing or two about big, boisterous sounds, and that's just as true in the run-up to Independence Day during Tishomingo's Johnston County Red, White, & Boom Celebration. It kicks off on Friday with a fireworks display at the Tishomingo High School stadium and a street dance that will keep the shimmy-shimmies shaking until midnight. Saturday brings a parade, followed by more fun at Pennington Creek Park including water slides, games, and plenty of tasty treats. June 30-July 1. Admission, free. johnstoncountyokchamber.com

Fort Gibson's Sweet Corn Festival is a great chance to savor the flavor of summer. Photo by Couleur

Whether in flakes, wrapped around dogs, baked into bread, or just slathered in butter, corn is part of the American way of life. Shuck off the summer heat and head to the Fort Gibson Sweet Corn Festival for an earful of fun. Now in its fifteenth year, the festival is a celebration of this summertime staple crop with children's activities, live music, and corn prepared in almost every form imaginable. Anyone who hasn't had enough kernels to tide them over can grab a bag of fresh kettle corn for the ride home. June 30-July 1. Admission, free. facebook.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.