Things to Do in Oklahoma This Weekend for Labor Day

Things to Do in Oklahoma This Weekend: Festivals, Rodeos and Labor Day Fun

Oklahomans looking for something to do over the Labor Day weekend have plenty of options, from Cherokee art and culture in Tahlequah to rodeo action in western Oklahoma and outdoor entertainment around the state.

This week’s Things to do in Oklahoma this weekend includes events for families, art lovers, rodeo fans and anyone looking for an excuse to take a road trip before summer winds down.

One scheduling note for Stillwater: the Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day Celtic Fest is September 26, not this Saturday. However, Block 34 does have a free outdoor concert Saturday night, so Stillwater can stay on the weekend list.

Things to Do in Oklahoma This Weekend Include Cherokee Culture and Community Events

One of the state's biggest cultural celebrations is underway in Tahlequah, where the 74th annual Cherokee National Holiday runs September 4 through 6.

The Cherokee Artisan Marketplace will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Cherokee National History Museum at 101 S. Muskogee Avenue.

Visitors can shop authentic and original work created by Cherokee artisans while experiencing one of the signature events of Cherokee National Holiday. The larger celebration includes traditional games, competitions, arts and crafts, food, dancing, music and other activities celebrating Cherokee history and culture.

Complete information about the marketplace and other Holiday events is available through Visit Cherokee Nation.

In Enid, the Squash Blossom Festival gets underway Saturday morning at Rowdy Stickhorse Market Hub, 626 S. Hoover Street.

The family-friendly event puts a playful spin on Oklahoma agriculture with zucchini car races, competitions for oversized and unusually shaped vegetables, food trucks and local farmers market shopping.

Stillwater also has free entertainment Saturday. Songwriters on the Block begins at 7 p.m. at Block 34, 218 W. 9th Avenue, as part of the B34 Live Concert Series. Visitors can bring a blanket or chair for an outdoor evening featuring regional musicians.

Elk City Rodeo Brings Three Nights of Western Action

Western Oklahoma will be busy all weekend with the Elk City Rodeo of Champions, running Friday through Sunday.

The rodeo begins at 8 p.m. nightly, with gates opening at 6 p.m. at Beutler Bros. Arena at Ackley Park. Events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing and roping competitions.

Saturday also features the traditional Elk City Rodeo parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Elk City. Sunday is Purple Night, when the rodeo raises awareness for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Tickets and complete weekend information are available through the Elk City Rodeo of Champions.

Over at Grand Lake, BULLFEST at the Lake returns Saturday evening at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.

The third annual lakeside event begins at 6:30 p.m., giving northeast Oklahoma another outdoor entertainment option for the holiday weekend.

With events stretching from Tahlequah to Elk City, the long weekend also offers an opportunity to explore communities outside the state's two largest metro areas.

Heat and Burn Bans Should Be Part of Weekend Plans

Anyone heading to an outdoor festival, rodeo, lake or other Labor Day weekend event should also plan around Oklahoma's late-summer conditions.

Bring plenty of water, take breaks from prolonged sun exposure and pay attention to signs of heat-related illness, particularly when children and older adults are spending several hours outside.

Travelers who plan to camp, cook outdoors or use an open flame should also check for local burn restrictions before leaving home.

County commissioners can issue burn bans for up to 14 days, and restrictions can change as fire conditions improve or worsen. Violating an active county burn ban can carry criminal penalties.

Current information and guidance about burn restrictions are available through Oklahoma Forestry Services.

For Oklahomans who have not made Labor Day weekend plans yet, there is still time. Cherokee culture, live music, quirky community festivals, rodeo action and lake entertainment are all on the calendar across the state.

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