Best of fests

This “unofficial start to summer” kicks off every year the third weekend in May. The family-friendly event offers something for everyone. Be sure to bring your fast-crawling baby for the Diaper Derby, as well as your fastest turtle for the turtle race. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, fair foods, shopping, karaoke and a carnival.

Festival in the Park

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Will Rogers Park

3400 N.W. 36th

943-0827

Recent renovations at the park boast a new grand entryway and trail in the Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum.
Several “how-to” gardening seminars will be hosted for visitors throughout the day. Attendees will also enjoy a plant and garden sale, a flower show, activities for children and garden tours. This festival offers opportunities for all gardeners, from novice to master green thumbs.

Kingfisher Festival of the Arts

10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday

Downtown Kingfisher

255-7666

Downtown Kingfisher will showcase a variety of original works of art. Everything from painting to photography, woodworking to sculpture, dance to poetry, and much more will be included, as well as children’s activities and food vendors.

Bethany 66 Festival

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 26

Downtown Bethany

bethany100.com

A family-friendly environment, the Bethany 66 Festival offers something for everyone. Enjoy the Diffee Motor Company car show throughout the day, and don’t miss out on the cruise later that afternoon.

Entertainment includes live music by participants of Bethany’s Got Talent! The children’s activities include inflatables, games, balloon animals and face painting. A variety of food and retail vendors will be on hand, as well.

22nd Annual Chuck Wagon Gathering and Children’s Cowboy Festival

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 26-27

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

1700 N.E. 63rd

478-2250

Find your inner cowboy or cowgirl this Memorial Day weekend. Spend a day out on the range, riding in covered wagons, weaving and making rope. Curb your hunger as authentic chuck crews prepare cowboy favorites, such as biscuits and stew, beans and cobblers. Enjoy stage entertainment like an Old West Medicine Show or western singer Red Steagall. A variety of hands-on activities can also be found in the children’s building.

Chisholm Trail Crawfish Festival

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 2

1001 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon

350-8937

Louisiana comes to Oklahoma in a celebration of Cajun culture with food, history and music. Come out and listen to a live Cajun band and learn some dance moves. Take a look into the past with historical demonstrations such as authentic chuck-wagon cooking and live reenactments of gunfights.

While cowboys, mountain men and blacksmiths roam the grounds, visitors will be able to browse prairie craft booths and sample Cajun food. Children can enjoy the Kid’s Kreative Korral, chicken and crawfish races, and pony rides.

Twilight Concert Series

7:30-9 p.m Sundays, June 3–Aug. 26

Myriad Botanical Gardens

301 W. Reno

This summer, grab a lawn chair, a couple of friends and come enjoy music in the midst of the Myriad Botanical Gardens. The concert series, which kicks off with Urban Addiction, is free and sponsored by Devon. For the full summer schedule, visit artscouncilokc.com/twilight-concerts.

Paseo Arts Festival

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 26-28

Paseo Arts District

525-2688

thepaseo.com

This Memorial Day weekend festival showcases original works of art, including live music, performing arts and visual art. Held in the historic Paseo Arts District, known as the city’s arts hub since 1929, the event is hosted by the Paseo Arts Association.

Stars and Stripes River Festival

Saturday-Sunday, June 30-July 1

Chesapeake Boathouse

725 S. Lincoln

552-4040

Family fun can be found at the Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River Fourth of July weekend. Children’s activities include inflatable bounce houses, face painting, games and contests. Be sure to come out to watch or participate in competitive events on the river — including the Riversport challenge — and stay for the live musical act and fireworks show Saturday evening.

Art in the Park: A Celebration in the Heartland

5-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 3; 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Wednesday, July 4

Buck Thomas Park

1903 N.E. 12th, Moore

793-5000

Bring the family out for a Fourth of July celebration. This outdoor festival features arts, crafts, entertainment and food. Activities include live music, a children’s tent, a giant sand pit, an inflatable moon bounce and an obstacle course, as well as food and wineries. The festival ends with a fireworks display.

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival

Wednesday-Sunday, July 11-15

Okemah

918-623-2440

woodyguthrie.com

This year’s five-day festival celebrates Woody’s 100th birthday. Musically inclined attendees may take part in a songwriting contest or guitar workshop. Scores of singer-songwriters perform, including Arlo Guthrie (Woody’s son), Billy Bragg, Jimmy LaFave and John Fullbright. As always, there’s arts and crafts and concessions, too.

Edmond Quilt Festival

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 3-4

University of Central Oklahoma

348-3594

The Edmond Quilt Guild hosts a festival to spotlight quilts created by its members, as well as offer door prizes and demos. Raffle tickets will be sold for the chance to win a quilt.

Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival

Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 6-8

400 W. California

270-4848

Marking the end of summer, audiences can revel in the ancient art of storytelling. The festival includes two evening performances, a latenight session of ghost stories, and workshops on communication skills. Events for children include a family matinee and the community outreach program that provides free performances to at-risk youth.