Despite the steamy temperatures, the unofficial end of summer is almost here.
Labor Day is coming up on Sept. 4, and across Oklahoma, that means live music, Native American festivals, rodeo action and more this holiday weekend.
For those who are ready for one more summertime celebration before fall finally sweeps in, check out these events happening across the Sooner State over Labor Day weekend:
Henryetta Labor Day Celebration
One of the biggest Labor Day events in the state, the Henryetta Labor Day Celebration boasts festivities all over town. Activities include a carnival, parade, car and bike show, barbecue lunch, homemade ice cream competition, horseshoe, disc golf and cornhole tournaments, live music, fireworks and the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo.
Oklahoma City Philharmonic free outdoor concert
As it prepares for its 35th season, the OKC Philharmonic returns to the downtown OKC green space for another free concert after an estimated 20,000 people flocked to Scissortail Park for the orchestra’s Independence Day show, “Red, White & Boom!” The theme of the Labor Day weekend concert will be “Marvelous Music from the Movies,” and OKC singer-songwriter Graham Colton will join the orchestra as a guest performer for the family-friendly show.
Rentiesville Dusk ’til Dawn Blues Festival
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, Andrew Jr. Boy Jones, Scott Ellison, Watermelon Slim and more, plus children’s activities.
Rocklahoma
When: Sept. 1-3, with the Rocklahoma Kick-off Party Aug. 31.
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. Now billed as “America’s Biggest Labor Day Weekend Party,” the three-day music and camping festival this year will showcase more than 40 current and classic rock acts on three stages.
The 2023 lineup includes Godsmack, Pantera, Rob Zombie, Limp Bizkit, Bush, Chevelle, Corey Taylor, Daughtry, GWAR, Skid Row, Theory Of A Deadman, Buckcherry, P.O.D. and Oklahoma’s own Mothica. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for the Roadhouse stage, and main venue doors open at 12:30 p.m.
The Thursday Night Rocklahoma Kick-off Party on the Roadhouse on Sept. 1 will feature performances from Warrant, L.A. Guns, BulletBoys and Voodoo Moonshine. Doors for The Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the pre-party, which is open to weekend passholders only.
Mayor’s Blues Ball in Medicine Park
Hear Seth Lee Jones, Cecil Gray Native Blues, Dirty Red & the Soulshakers, Sweet Brenda & Sour Mash, Eric Tessmer, Amanda Howle & the Big Bad Wolves, Chebon Tiger Band, Sweet & Dirty All-Star Blues Review and more at the 17th Annual Blues Ball in the historic resort town. Admission is free.
71st Cherokee National Holiday
The annual event, which typically draws more than 100,000 visitors from across the country, will include the Inter-Tribal Powwow, traditional games, Holiday Veterans 5K and Fun Run, cornhole and fishing tournaments, sporting events ranging from softball and stickball to 3-on-3 basketball and a horseshoe pitching tournament and more.
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.
New to this year’s event will be Dalalapalooza, a two-day bluegrass- and folk-themed music festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 1-2 at One Fire Field, 17475 S Muskogee Ave. Performers will include Agalisiga Mackey, Hannah Renell, Johnny Mullenax, Kayln Fay, Monica Taylor, Travis Fite and headliner Arkansauce.
The Cherokee National Holiday parade will march through downtown Tahlequah at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 2, and the annual State of the Nation will follow the parade at 11 a.m. at the Cherokee National Peace Pavilion.
VZD’s final weekend
The popular Western Avenue mainstay is shutting its doors after 47 years. Although the kitchen has closed already, bar service and live music continues through Sept. 2, with pop-up food trucks. A Suit & Tie Farewell Party is planned for 7 p.m. Aug. 31, followed by a performance by 9 p.m. OKC’s Adam Aguilar Band.
Oklahoma pop-rock group Wakeland, which reunited in 2015 when VZD’s reopened under new management and has performed there frequently over the past few years, will play the final shows Sept. 1-2.
Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival
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.
Paseo Photofest opening reception
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.
This year’s show features works by more than 40 local artists juried by Mark Zimmerman, a photographer, artist and photography professor at the University of Central Oklahoma.
The center also will mark the opening Friday night of the solo show “Juxtapositional Harmony,” a collection of nature photography by Wayne Ruff.
Elk City’s PRCA Rodeo of Champions
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 1-3.
Where: Beutler Brothers Rodeo Arena in Elk City.
Information: www.elkcityrodeo.com.
A Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, the 85th annual Elk City Rodeo of Champions includes bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping and saddle bronc riding.
Friday will be Tough Enough to Wear Pink night, when attendees are encouraged to wear pink to show awareness of breast cancer, and Sunday is designated Oklahoma State University Night, with Pistol Pete, Bullet and the OSU Spirit Rider slated to make appearances.
The rodeo parade is slated for 10 a.m. Sept. 2 in downtown Elk City.
Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival
Celebrating faith, family and culture, the long-running Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival will return with events like cultural activities, classes and games, gourd dancing, quilt show, princess pageants, sports tournaments, 5K run, vendor booths, carnival rides and buffalo tours.
Country hitmakers Neal McCoy and Diamond Rio will play in concert Saturday night, while contemporary Christian acts Jason Crabb and Zach Williams will perform Sunday night shows.
Last Red Brick Nights of the year in Guthrie
Downtown Guthrie’s last monthly Red Brick Nights street festival of the year overlaps with Labor Day weekend. The festivities start with food trucks and vendors at 5 p.m. Live music begins at 7 p.m., with local performers Claire Piersol Band, Brad Fielder and Noah Engh.
Rock the Route in Yukon
Check downtown Yukon’s Rock the Route festival, featuring Oklahoma Red Dirt and Texas country music from Shane Smith and The Saints, Gannon Fremin & CCREV and Adara Kay. The festivities also will include food trucks, all-ages activities and a guitar raffle.
Super producer Timbaland and Grammy- winning singer Justin Timberlake are reuniting to help the sound on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. According to the sports network, the dynamic duo will curate music for select Monday Night Football games during the 2023-24 NFL season. The songs Timbaland and Timberlake will will run in promotional spots, live telecasts, and pre-game shows for seven weeks this season. “Football and music go hand-in-hand, like the iconic Timbaland and Justin Timberlake duo, who collaborate on music […]
