Weekly Events Calendar: October 7-13, 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
So last week, we talked on the show about karaoke songs, and I totally forgot one of my absolute favorites: “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard. Man, what a heck of a song. And though Merle himself wasn’t from Oklahoma, his parents were from Checotah, and his legacy in this state is undeniable: He’s the man who single-handedly put Muskogee on the map. And though controversy rages to this day whether the lyrics to that song are meant ironically, sincerely, or some mixture of the two somehow, it’s tough to find an Okie who doesn’t love Merle. So you’ll definitely want to come to the Merle Haggard Statue Unveiling and Tribute Concert at the Muskogee Civic Center on October 10. Merle’s sons Ben and Noel will headline the show, which also will feature the Swon Brothers, Jana Jae, Shelby Eicher, Wade Hayes, and more. Tickets range from $10 to $50 and you can find them at omhof.com or by calling (918) 687-0800.
October 10. Tickets, $10-50. etix.com

It has long been clear that Merle Haggard deserves a statue in Muskogee, but finally that honor is becoming a reality. The Merle Haggard Statue Unveiling and Tribute Show outside the Muskogee Civic Center will feature music from Haggard's sons Ben and Noel, plus much more.

By Kiersten Stone
Dating back more than thirty years, Warner’s annual Cow Chip Day remains a festival favorite for many. Kicking off at 10 a.m. on October 12, activities will include opening festival pageants, a car show, parade, art show, carnival rides, talent show, and more. Not to be forgotten either is the centerpiece of the festivities, Cow Chip Bingo. You’ll want to buy your ticket early to see where the chip falls, literally. The carnival ride pass costs $20, though admission to the festival itself is free. For more information, call 918-463-2696.
October 12. Admission, free. facebook.com/cowchipday

By Karlie Ybarra
Have you ever been to Hominy? Well on October 12, just about everyone will have a reason to spend the day at Hominy Lake, no matter your interest. First, there's the annual Hominystock event, when you can see corgis in costume, corgis on parade, and corgis otherwise careening off of every corner. Then, there's Hominy Indigenous Day and National Meat Pie Cook Off, when visitors can learn all about Native peoples and indulge in a variety of delicious meat-based delicacies. Basically, they should change the name of the town to Harmony, at least for October 12, as folks can enjoy all of these wholesome activities for free! Visit facebook.com/hominystockok for more info about the Corgi corral, or call (918) 639-3729 for more info about Indigenous Day and the cook off.
October 12. Admission, free. facebook.com/hominystockok

Hominyfest, featuring costumed corgis on parade, makes October 12 arguably the best time to visit Hominy in northeast Oklahoma. Photo courtesy Pixabay

By Ben Luschen
Is there a food out there more mysterious than the mushroom? We lump it in with veggies, but it is not a vegetable. It’s not even a plant. While your tomatoes thrive in the sun, most mushrooms like to hide in the dark and require about a fifth as much water as your red ‘maters. And while some mushrooms make for an innocent, even banal pizza topping, others can kill you--or worse! With all that mystery, it pays to seek out some formal instruction before you attempt to forage or grow your own fungal fare. Thankfully, the Oklahoma Mushroom Festival in Oklahoma City is your one stop shop for all the knowledge and supplies you need to start growing your own toadstools. This Saturday and Sunday head to Oklahoma State Fair Park for two days of educational classes and workshops, plus numerous vendor booths. This year’s theme is “Loyal to the Soil,” focusing on the importance of healthy soil for fungi as well as other food crops. And of course there will be plenty of mushroom-based snacks there, and we hear they are all Mario-approved. (No Toad harmed in the making of this festival). One day general admission is $15, and one- and two-day education passes are available online.
October 12-13. Admission, $15-$100. okmushfest.com

By Megan Rossman
If film and books have taught us anything about time travel, it’s probably that it’s a difficult concept to write about without a lot of plot holes. Also, it has a tendency to go terribly wrong, unless, of course, we’re talking about the 1989 classic Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where the historic figures go to jail for a spell, but all come together for a most triumphant high school presentation. On October 12, shoppers can go back in time without the hassle at the Time Travelers Vintage Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. For a small entry fee, they’ll gain access to treasures of the past that include clothing and accessories, home goods, records, handmade gifts, and more. In this time travel experience, you’re more likely to find paisley dresses and Huey Lewis records than Genghis Khan eating Twinkies, but that’s probably for the best.
October 12. Tickets, $10-$12. timetravelersexpo.com

Decorate yourself with the dress of decades past during the Time Travelers Vintage Expo at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Photo courtesy Time Travelers Vintage Expo

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.