Oklahoma Memorial Day weekend events range from military tributes to family fun

Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman
·8 min read

In case the rising temperatures didn't tip you off, the unofficial start of summer is almost here.

As Memorial Day weekend nears, Oklahoma's event calendar is starting to look more normal compared to the past two years of pandemic planning.

Most of the state's long-running holiday weekend events are back this year, including military tributes, fun runs and family-friendly festivals like the Paseo Arts Festival, which shifted temporarily to Labor Day in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still missing from this year's Memorial Day calendar: Rocklahoma also moved to Labor Day weekend in 2021, but the 15th annual music and camping festival is sticking with its September dates again this year. Classic and modern rock fans can plan their return to Pryor for Sept. 2-4.

But summer is just getting started, and here are some of the events happening across Oklahoma during Memorial Day weekend:

Master Sgt. Rebecca McGary, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Governor's Honor Guard, salutes during the retiring of the colors at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City, Monday, May 27, 2019.
Master Sgt. Rebecca McGary, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Governor's Honor Guard, salutes during the retiring of the colors at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City, Monday, May 27, 2019.

1. 45th Infantry Division Museum’s Memorial Day Ceremony

The ceremony honoring U.S. service members begins at 10 a.m. May 30 at the museum, 2145 NE 36. Admission is free. Information: www.facebook.com/45thInfantryDivisionMuseum.

2. Bethany 66 Festival

Free festivities include live entertainment by Edgar Cruz and Sherman Andrus, a car, truck and motorcycle show, children's princess and action hero parade, arts and craft booths, food vendors and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 28 in the one-block area from 38th Street north to 39th Expressway, between Peniel and Asbury. Information: www.bethany66.com.

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Chuck wagon cook George Powers makes cobbler during the Chuck Wagon Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 26, 2018.
Chuck wagon cook George Powers makes cobbler during the Chuck Wagon Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 26, 2018.

3. 31st annual Chuck Wagon Festival

This family favorite features outdoor cooking, artisan demonstrations, Western reenactors, archery, country and Western dancing, craft stations, a petting zoo and live music by the Rodeo Opry. New this year will be a Native American hunters' camp, dugout canoe demonstration and LEGO building. For the second year, Native American food samples will be available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28-29 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63. Information: nationalcowboymuseum.org.

4. Unite the People Powwow

Free and open to the public, this two-day event will showcase a variety of Native American dance contests featuring competitors of all ages on the Love’s Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn at Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. May 28 and 1 p.m. May 29 with a gourd dance. Grand entries of dancers are planned at 7 p.m. May 28 and 4 p.m. May 29. Information: https://www.facebook.com/UnitethePeoplePowwows.

Hip-hop artist L-Smooth Mensah will perform at the inaugural Halloween in May May 28 at Oklahoma City's newest underground DIY venue, The Sanctuary, 2828 NW 10.
Hip-hop artist L-Smooth Mensah will perform at the inaugural Halloween in May May 28 at Oklahoma City's newest underground DIY venue, The Sanctuary, 2828 NW 10.

5. Halloween in May

The local music organization Make Oklahoma Weirder riffs on the Christmas in July concept with its inaugural Halloween in May at 7 p.m. May 28 at Oklahoma City's newest underground DIY venue, The Sanctuary, 2828 NW 10, where it shares space with the Beloved Bones curio shop. The live music event will feature performances by Em and the MotherSuperiors, L-Smooth Mensah, Rauland and Bugnog, plus a costume contest with prizes, turntable artistry by DJ Dee Rock and eats from Shaq's Vegan Dogs. Information: makeoklahomaweirder.com.

6. 76th annual Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo, Claremore

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event will feature bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding and more. Gates open at 6 p.m., preshow entertainment starts at 7 p.m., and the rodeo action begins at 8 p.m. May 27-29 at Will Rogers Stampede Arena, 13653 E 480 Rd. The festivities kick off May 26 with the slack steer roping at 6 p.m. at Stampede Park and Boots on the Boulevard — Food Truck Thursday, featuring a full menu of food trucks, live music, a mechanical bull and street dance, from 6 to 9 p.m. in downtown Claremore. Information: https://www.facebook.com/WillRogersStampede.

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In this May 28, 2021, photo, Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, from left, Hughes Van Ellis Sr., Lessie Benningfield Randle, and Viola Fletcher, wave and high-five supporters from a horse-drawn carriage before a march in Tulsa.
In this May 28, 2021, photo, Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, from left, Hughes Van Ellis Sr., Lessie Benningfield Randle, and Viola Fletcher, wave and high-five supporters from a horse-drawn carriage before a march in Tulsa.

7. Second annual Black Wall Street Legacy Festival, Tulsa

The three known survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre — Viola Ford Fletcher, 108; Lessie Benningfield Randle, 107; and Hughes Van Ellis, 101 — as well as descendants of the massacre's victims will host this May 27-28 event in and around the Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N Greenwood Ave. Marking the 101st anniversary of the massacre, the festival will include a town hall, memorial march, block party and performances by Fire in Little Africa, Amber Owens & Company and Quentin Marcellus. The event will close with a free special appearance by Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project, at 7 p.m. May 31 at Booker T. Washington High School, 1514 E Zion Street.  Information: www.blackwallstreetlegacyfest.com.

8. Simmons Center Memorial 5K Fun Run and Walk, Duncan

The Simmons Center, 1330 Chisholm Trail Parkway, will honor veterans and active-duty servicemen and women at this event at 9 a.m. May 28. Information: http://www.simmonscenter.com.

Jennifer Privett looks at the artwork on display during the Paseo Arts Festival in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021.
Jennifer Privett looks at the artwork on display during the Paseo Arts Festival in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021.

9. 45th annual Paseo Arts Festival

Returning to Memorial Day weekend, this year's event will feature more than 100 visiting artists, plus dozens of neighborhood artists, along with 50-plus Oklahoma entertainers, 18 food vendors, two children's art areas, free shuttle service and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 28-29, with live music until 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 30 in the Paseo Arts District, between NW 28 and Walker and NW 30 and Dewey. Admission is free. Information: www.thepaseo.org.

10. 26th annual Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, Muskogee

The family-friendly activities include jousting tournaments, performances by traveling acrobats, Bird of Prey exhibitions, festive food and shopping for handcrafted items. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through June 5 at the Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W Fern Mountain Rd. The festival is also open on Memorial Day. Information: www.okcastle.com.

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Several of Oklahoma photographer Nicol Ragland's recent photographs of the historic Black town of Boley, including "G-Line Ranch," are displayed along with the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit "Crossroads: Change in Rural America." The exhibit is on view in Boley through June 25, including during the historically Black town's legendary Memorial Day rodeo and festivities, at the town's Community Center. Photo provided by Nicol Ragland

11. Boley Rodeo and 'Crossroads' exhibit

The nation's oldest African American community-based rodeo continues May 28 with a parade at 3 p.m. and the rodeo action at 7:30 p.m. in the historic Black town of Boley. A Gospel Explosion and Soul Food Sunday is planned for 5 p.m. May 29 on Main Street. Plus, the Boley Community Center is hosting the Smithsonian Institution exhibit “Crossroads: Change in Rural America" through June 25, with several special programs planned. Information: www.thetownofboley.org.

12. The Roots Ball, Medicine Park

Listen to Ponder the Albatross, King Cabbage Brass Band, Electric Okie Test and more May 27-29 in the historic resort town. Music begins on the main stage at 7 p.m. May 27, 2 p.m. May 28 and 3 p.m. May 29 at Hitchin' Post Park. Admission is free. Information: www.facebook.com/MedicineParkOK.

An exhibit about Black Wall Street is pictured at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center in Tulsa on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
An exhibit about Black Wall Street is pictured at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center in Tulsa on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

13. Greenwood Rising's 'Remember & Rise,' Tulsa

The Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, 23 N Greenwood Ave., will mark the 101st anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre with a series of May 29-31 events culminating in a candlelight vigil at 9:30 p.m. May 31. Information: https://www.greenwoodrising.org.

14. Norman Veterans Car Show

More than 30 classes of cars, street rods, trucks and more will be displayed and judged at the 19th annual show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 28 at the Norman Veterans Center, 1776 E Robinson. Information: https://www.canadianrivercruisers.com.

Yefry Ramirez pitches during practice at the media day for the OKC Dodgers at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Monday, April 4, 2022.
Yefry Ramirez pitches during practice at the media day for the OKC Dodgers at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Monday, April 4, 2022.

15. OKC Dodgers vs. Reno River Cats

What's summer without a little baseball? The OKC Dodgers play an almost weeklong homestand with games at 7:05 p.m. May 24-27, 6:05 p.m. May 28 and 2:05 p.m. May 29 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 Mickey Mantle Drive. Friday Night Fireworks will follow the May 27 game. Information: https://www.milb.com/oklahoma-city.

16. Red Dirt Run of Honor, Enid

Along with the 5K and half-marathon course, this event includes a breakfast, awards ceremony and entertainment. It starts at 6:30 a.m. May 28 at Woodring Regional Airport, 1026 S 66. Information: www.visitenid.org/visitors/calendar-of-events.

The Tour de Meers Bike Ride, an annual fundraising event for the Meers Volunteer Fire Department, offers cyclists varying lengths for the routes, including 10, 22, 36 or 60 miles, in the vicinity of Meers, Medicine Park and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
The Tour de Meers Bike Ride, an annual fundraising event for the Meers Volunteer Fire Department, offers cyclists varying lengths for the routes, including 10, 22, 36 or 60 miles, in the vicinity of Meers, Medicine Park and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

17. 32nd annual Tour de Meers Bike Ride

An annual fundraising event for the Meers Volunteer Fire Department, the May 28 bike ride offers cyclists varying lengths for the routes, including 10, 22, 36 or 60 miles, in the vicinity of Meers, Medicine Park and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Registration begins at 6 a.m., and the ride starts at 7:30 a.m. Information: www.tourdemeers.org.

18. 69th annual Barnsdall Big Heart Day

The all-day festivities May 28 include a parade, a terrapin race and frog jump, live music, children's games, a grand fireworks finale and more. Additional activities are planned throughout the holiday weekend. Information: www.facebook.com/BarnsdallChamber.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Memorial Day weekend events - military tributes to family fun