15 Labor Day events across Oklahoma where you can celebrate the end of summer
With Labor Day coming up on Sept. 5, the unofficial end of summer is almost here.
Across the Sooner State, this year's end-of-season festivities include the in-person return of the Cherokee National Holiday and Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival after two years of cancellations or limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the debut of an anticipated new glass art collection at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art; and a lineup of more than 40 current and classic rock acts at Rocklahoma.
For those who are ready for one more summertime celebration before fall swoops in, here are 15 events happening across the Sooner State over Labor Day weekend:
1. Rocklahoma
When: Sept. 2-4. Gates open at 2 p.m. daily.
Where: Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds, 1421 W 450 Road, off U.S. 69 north of Pryor
Information: www.rocklahoma.com
Rocklahoma was a Memorial Day weekend tradition before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift to September last year. Now billed as "America's Biggest Labor Day Weekend Party," the three-day music and camping festival this year will feature more than 40 current and classic rock acts.
The 2022 lineup includes Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, Shinedown, Evanescence, Megadeth, Seether, Three Days Grace, Cypress Hill, Jelly Roll, Slaughter, Skillet and more.
The Thursday Night Roadhouse Pre-Party on Sept. 1 will be hosted by Eddie Trunk and will feature performances from Fan Halen, Count’s 77, Enuff Z’nuff and One Night Stand. Doors for The Roadhouse will open at 11 a.m. daily during the fest.
2. Kids Day at the Park
When: 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 5
Where: Central Park, 700 S Broadway Ave., Moore
Information: https://www.cityofmoore.com/upcoming-events/kids-day-park
The free day of activities centered around the all-inclusive playground, Kids Day at the Park will include inflatables, a food truck, yard games and free snow cones.
3. Cherokee National Holiday
When: Sept. 1-4
Where: Various Tahlequah venues
Information: https://thecherokeeholiday.com
The 70th annual event will mark a comeback for in-person activities, including a new fishing tournament, cornhole competitions, the return of traditional games, an inter-tribal powwow, softball tournaments, a homecoming art show and other longtime favorites festivities.
The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, which reestablished the tribe’s government in Indian Territory after forced removal from the Cherokees’ original homelands in the Southeast.
4. Cherokee 'Performers' album release concert
When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 3
Where: One Fire Field, 17475 S Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah
Information: https://www.facebook.com/HortonRecords
As part of the Cherokee National Holiday, more than a dozen recording artists featured on the trailblazing Cherokee-language album "ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ / Anvdvnelisgi / Performers" will play an album release concert.
The lineup includes Zebadiah Nofire, Kalyn Fay, I.I.A., Colby Luper, Desi & Cody, Agalisiga Mackey, Medicine Horse, Travis Fite, Monica Taylor, Aaron Hale, Ken Pomeroy and some surprise guests.
Tulsa-based nonprofit label Horton Records will release the album worldwide in October.
5. 'Highlights from the Rose Family Glass Collection'
When: Sept. 3-Jan. 15
Where: Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive
Information: www.okcmoa.com
The downtown OKC museum will debut key pieces from the recently gifted Jerome V. and Judith G. Rose Family Glass Collection, which includes nearly 180 works by more than 80 artists.
Labor Day weekend also will be the last chance for visitors to see “The Perfect Shot: Walter Iooss Jr. and the Art of Sports Photography," the largest restrospective ever of the venerable Sports Illustrated photographer's work, which closes Sept. 4.
6. Henryetta Labor Day Celebration
When: Sept. 1-5
Where: Various venues in Henryetta
Information: Search for Henryetta Labor Day Celebration on Facebook
One of the biggest Labor Day events in the state, Henryetta Labor Day Celebration boasts festivities all over town. Activities include a carnival, parade, car and bike show, barbecue competition, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments, live music and the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo.
7. Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival
When: Sept. 2-4
Where: On Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in Grove
Information: www.grandlakefestivals.com
This year's Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival, hosted by the country music instrumentalist and former "Hee Haw" standout, will feature Western music standard-bearer Cowboy Jim Garling, well-known bones player Barry Patton, fiddle champion Junior Marriott and more.
The festival will offer daytime small group music instruction at the Grove Civic Center, followed by free public evening events featuring live music and downhome dinners at Snider’s Camp.
8. Rentiesville Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival
When: 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sept. 2-4
Where: Rentiesville
Information: dcminnerblues.com
The Rentiesville Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival annually lives up to its name, with opportunities to hear the blues all night long over three days on three stages in Rentiesville, one of Oklahoma’s historically Black towns.
The event will feature 30 musical acts, including Selby Minner, Johnny Rawls and Walter Taylor III, plus children’s activities.
9. Paseo Photofest opening reception
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 2
Where: Paseo Arts and Creativity Center, 3024 Paseo
Information: https://www.thepaseo.org/pacc
Every year, Labor Day weekend overlaps with the monthly Paseo First Friday Gallery Walk. But at the Paseo Arts and Creativity Center the holiday weekend also annually coincides with the opening reception for Photofest, a juried exhibition open to Oklahoma artists working in all types of photography-based artwork, from traditional and digital processes to mixed-media work that incorporates photography.
The center also will mark the opening Friday night of the solo show "Sister, Sister" by OKC artist, mentor and educator Katelynn Noel Knick. The exhibit shares a glimpse into the grieving process Knick experienced after the sudden loss of her sister.
10. Elk City's PRCA Rodeo of Champions
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 2-4
Where: Beutler Brothers Rodeo Arena in Elk City
Information: www.elkcityrodeo.com
A Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, the 84th annual Elk City Rodeo of Champions includes bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping and saddle bronc riding.
The rodeo parade is slated for 10 a.m. Sept. 3 in downtown Elk City.
11. The Blues Ball in Medicine Park
When: 7 p.m. Sept. 2 and 3 p.m. Sept. 3-4
Where: Hitchin' Post Park, Medicine Park
Information: Search Medicine Park Events on Facebook
Hear KALO, Dirty Red & The Soulshakers, Indigenous, Sweet Brenda & Sour Mash, Big Train & the Loco Motives and more at the Sweet 16th Annual Blues Ball in the historic resort town. Admission is free.
12. Rock the Route in Yukon
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 1
Where: Along Main Street in Yukon
Information: www.yukonok.gov/RocktheRoute
One way to get a jump on the holiday weekend: Check downtown Yukon's Rock the Route festival, featuring Red Dirt and Texas country music from Muscadine Bloodline, Jack Ingram and Gannon Fremin and CCREV
The festivities will include food trucks, face painting, a rock-climbing wall, photo booth, Okie Gellyball and more. Plus, some businesses will stay open later than usual and offer special sales.
13. Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival
When: Sept. 2-4
Where: Tuskahoma Capitol Grounds, Tuskahoma
Information: https://www.choctawnation.com/events/cultural/labor-day
Celebrating faith, family and culture, the long-running Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival will return with events like gourd dancing, princess pageants, sports tournaments, vendor booths, carnival rides and concerts by country hitmaker Clint Black and contemporary Christian band We The Kingdom.
14. Last Red Brick Nights of the year in Guthrie
When: 5 p.m. Sept. 3
Where: Oklahoma Avenue and Wentz Street in downtown Guthrie
Information: https://www.facebook.com/RedBrickNights
Downtown Guthrie's last monthly Red Brick Nights street festival of the year overlaps with Labor Day weekend. The festivities start with food trucks, vendors and children's activities at 5 p.m. Live music begins at 7 p.m., with local performers Passable Service, Chloe-Beth and Noah Engh.
15. Tommy 'C. Thomas' Howell at Ponyboy
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 3-4
Where: Ponyboy, 423 NW 23
Information: https://www.ponyboyokc.com
Tommy "C. Thomas" Howell, who played Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 Tulsa-filmed movie "The Outsiders," will kick off his nationwide tour with a two-night stand in the OKC venue that shares his beloved character's name. Howell will play original music and tell stories during his shows. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
Features Writer Brandy "BAM" McDonnell has covered Oklahoma's arts, entertainment and cultural sectors for The Oklahoman for 20 years. Reach her at bmcdonnell@oklahoman.com, www.facebook.com/brandybammcdonnell and twitter.com/BAMOK. Support her work by signing up for her See & Do Oklahoma newsletter and subscribing to The Oklahoman.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 15 Labor Day events across Oklahoma for celebrating the end of summer
