August and September are festival time in Oklahoma. Where you can celebrate food and music

Dino Lalli
·4 min read
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With September's arrival up ahead, we can look forward to a wide variety of fun events to celebrate the season's transition into autumn. The start of the school year signals the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The allure of September is undeniable though. So, now is the time to organize a fun trip! Before I include some of the September activities and festivals though, here are a few for August you might consider.

While compiling all the different kinds of festivals coming up, most fell into two categories or themes. And those are food and music.

August festivals

I will begin with the Blanchard Bluegrass Festival, which is Aug. 18-19 at Lions Park. This annual event is fun for the entire family.

The Oklahoma Opry is set for Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 at AMC@UCO in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Opry is set for Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 at AMC@UCO in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma’s official country music show, the Oklahoma Opry, will take place Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 at AMC@UCO, 25 S Oklahoma Ave. in OKC.

You can attend the Backwoods Country Music Show on Aug. 26 and Sept. 23 at The Centre Theatre in El Reno.

When it comes to August food events, the Tacos and Margarita Fest looks like a must-attend affair! Come to Enid on Aug. 19 at the Strike Bank Center for this event.

If you love salsa as much as I do, you won’t want to miss the Salsa Festival on Aug. 26 at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.

For all the watermelon enthusiasts, get ready to mark your calendars for some irresistible events that will surely make your taste buds dance with joy.

Watermelons are sold out of Chevrolet pickup bed Aug. 13, 2022, at the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. This year's event is Saturday at Jeff Davis Park in Rush Springs.
Watermelons are sold out of Chevrolet pickup bed Aug. 13, 2022, at the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. This year's event is Saturday at Jeff Davis Park in Rush Springs.

First up is the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. The event is set for the second week in August every year, and this year's is Saturday. The event, which includes a car show, parade and more, will be at Jeff Davis Park in Rush Springs.

There’s the Watermelon Festival and Community Fair in Ringwood on Aug. 26-Sept. 2. Then on Sept. 15-16, you can indulge in an array of mouthwatering watermelon treats at the Valliant Watermelon Fest, which will take place at Valliant City Park.

September festivals

Now looking at September music events, I want to start with what has been billed as the world’s largest rock festival of its type. Rocklahoma first began in 2007, and this year it will take place Sept. 1-3 at the Rocklahoma festival grounds four miles north of Pryor.

Other music events include the Dusk ‘Til Dawn Blues Festival, Sept. 1-3, at the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville.

One event we shot as a story for "Discover Oklahoma" a few years ago was the Pauls Valley Opry. This is a wonderful and entertaining event they hold once a month at the Pauls Valley High School Auditorium. The next one is Sept. 2.

The Pauls Valley Opry is held once a month at the Pauls Valley High School Auditorium. The next one is Sept. 2.
The Pauls Valley Opry is held once a month at the Pauls Valley High School Auditorium. The next one is Sept. 2.

Experience a different kind of musical getaway by attending the Diamond Stone Music Fest on Sept. 7-9 at the Diamondhead Resort in Tahlequah.

What better way to combine both food and music than a festival that touts both in the title, such as the Bluegrass and Chili Festival, Sept. 8-9. This annual event is packed with family fun and the location is Wagoner.

Wine and art are combined for the appropriately named Wine and Art Fest on Sept. 9 in Eufaula.

The Tulsa Greek Festival takes place Sept. 21-23, where you can enjoy not only Greek music and dancing, but, of course, Greek food and drinks. The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is where this fun-filled festival takes place.

The Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa is the location for the Taste of Nigeria Festival, Sept. 16.

The Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa will host the Taste of Nigeria Festival on Sept. 16.
The Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa will host the Taste of Nigeria Festival on Sept. 16.

And you can sample everything from barbecue brisket and pork to ribs and chicken thighs at the BBQ Showdown on Sept. 16 at Fuqua Park in Duncan.

And, of course, tons of fun can be had at the Tulsa State Fair, Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, and the Oklahoma State Fair from Sept. 14-24 in Oklahoma City.

If you’re looking for something specifically for the kiddos, check out Annabelle’s Farm in Welch from Sept. 23-Oct. 29, and the Stillwater Pumpkin Patch from Sept. 23-Oct. 31.

These are just a small portion of all the events taking place between now and the end of September throughout the state. For a comprehensive list of festivals, functions and events, go to Travelok.com.

Dino Lalli is the co-host and one of the feature reporters for the weekly television travel show "Discover Oklahoma."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Discover Oklahoma: Upcoming festivals to celebrate food and music