Weekly Events Calendar: October 14-20, 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 Megan Rossman
Everyone knows that Tulsa’s Oktoberfest is a fine time and place to consume copious amounts of beer and sausage, as if we need a special reason to exercise those God-given rights, but you may be surprised to discover that this festive week is a draw for runners, too. During the Lederhosen Lauf on October 17, participants will hit the pavement in a healthy way as they pound out three miles starting at River West Festival Park. Everyone who finishes the race will receive a sixteen-ounce beer stein, a drink voucher to fill it, a t-shirt, and free entry to Oktoberfest that day to eat sausages and drink more beer. And because The Chicken Dance is a tradition at Oktoberfests, age group winners in the race will be awarded with a chicken hat, which is a hat shaped like a chicken with ear flaps. Lederhosen are optional.
October 17. Registration, $50 runsignup.com

Oktoberfest celebrations aren't usually associated with burned calories, but a little cardio actually might not be the worst idea. A beer stein awaits those who finish Tulsa's Lederhosen Lauf 5K. Photo courtesy Lederhosen Lauf

By Karlie Ybarra
For those not graced with agility, good reflexes, or the basic ability to make it to the end of the day without being covered by self-inflicted bruises and scratches, pumpkin carving can be fraught. Last time I tried to make my own jack-o-lantern, both the pumpkin and I ended up covered in blood, though I have to say the results were quite spooky. Thankfully, the OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden has a safer way to watch some gourd gore. During their Chomp and Stomp event October 18, visitors can witness all kind of animals smashing pumpkins in their own fun ways. It’s a great way to get rid of excess pumpkins and enrich animals’ lives at the same time. Even better, you can watch the hallowed happenings for free with the price of zoo admission.
October 18. Zoo admission, $13-$16. okczoo.org

We humans aren't the only ones going crazy for pumpkin flavor this season. Head to the OKC Zoo for their annual Chomp and Stomp event, when animals ranging from cuddly to ginormous will delight in October's favorite gourd. Photo courtesy Andrea J. / OKC Zoo

By Ben Luschen
I love Halloween, but am I the only one who feels like trick-or-treat is overly simple? Ding dong, the kids say trick or treat—and guess what? It’s never trick; always treat. I think it’s high time we borrow a tradition from another one of my favorite days, Easter, and make these kids put in some actual work for their candy. Thankfully I’m on the same page as Tenkiller State Park in Vian, as they plan on hosting their Halloween Egg Hunt on Friday, October 18. The candy might be fun size, but this activity is huge. It all starts 4:00 p.m. at the Driftwood Nature Center with a daytime hunt for all the little monsters in training out there. But the full-fledged terrors, aka middle school and early high school students, will have to wait until the sun goes down for the real fun to begin. Those who dare can embark on the after-dark egg hunt at 7:30 pm, provided they bring a flashlight and an adult chaperone. I’m not sure who is protecting who in that scenario. Anyway, the brave hunters out there can call the park at 918-776-8180 for more information.
October 18. Parking, $10. TravelOK.com

By Kiersten Stone
Do you like wine? Do you like crafts? Do you like wine and crafts together? If you answered yes to these questions, you should head to historic Downtown Guthrie on October 19 where the Guthrie Wine & Craft Festival will be taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sip on some red or white, or even grab a beer, and stroll among the more than 75 vendor booths. You can peruse the rows of home decor, skincare products, woodwork, handmade craft items, and more. Before you head home, you can also grab a bite to eat because, yes, there will be food trucks.
October 19. Admission, free. eventbrite.com

Craft wines (like these bottles from Bennington's Rock House Vineyard). Artisan wares. Food trucks. Need we say more? Find all the above in gorgeous downtown Guthrie during the Guthrie Wine & Craft Festival. Photo courtesy Rock House Vineyard

By Nathan Gunter
So our question of the week was about songs that remind us of Oklahoma. But if I can, for this podvent, I’d like to pose another question: If you could go to an all-night lock-in with any Oklahoman living or dead, who would you choose and why?
If your answer was Will Rogers, have I got the podvent for you: On Friday October 18 and Saturday October 19 at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, kids accompanied by a parent or guardian can spend the night knocking around a historic space with no bedtimes whatsoever. Starting with a dinner by Ike’s Chili—still in business in Tulsa and known to have been one of Will’s favorites—the night will include games, a campfire with s’mores, a cowboy singalong, movies, glow-in-the-dark activities, and more, before concluding with breakfast on Saturday morning. For more information call (918) 341-0719.
October 19-20. Registration, $35-$45. willrogers.com

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.