Weekly Events Calendar: August 11-17

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

What’s better than a county fair packed with live entertainment, vendor booths, carnival rides, and endless community fun? Well, the Stephens County Free Fair has all of that, plus you don’t have to pay to get in. This Wednesday through Saturday, enjoy all the fun at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center in Duncan. There will be plenty of friendly competition throughout the event, including rodeo events, the Farmhand Olympics, and a variety of 4-H exhibits.
**August 13-16. Admission, free.
e. [visitduncan.org

A quick Google search reveals that it takes 2,903 humans to equal the weight of one blue whale. That’s roughly equivalent to two sold-out shows at Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom, which is what’s likely to occur during the return of the Blue Whale Comedy Festival this week. Major stand-up headliners David Cross and Hannibal Burress are headlining shows at the venues this Friday and Saturday, respectively. But the laughs aren’t limited to just this location. Fans can catch shows at venues across Tulsa, including Chimera, Lowdown, Soundpony, Mercury Lounge, and more.
**August 14-17. Passes, $85-$185. Some individual show tickets available.
ailable. [bluewhalecomedyfestival.com

Mozart’s The Magic Flute flutters into the Little Theatre inside Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall August 14–17 with the ever-quirky bird-catcher Papageno, a not-so-needy Princess Pamina, and a truth-seeking Prince Tamino on a confusing fairytale quest (Queen of the Night, we see you). This fully staged, bilingual spectacle—complete with orchestra, supertitles in English, and an optional pre-show talk 45 minutes before curtain—promises melodies, mischief, and myth-bending fun. Two hours and thirty minutes of whimsical wisdom await!
**August 14-17. Tickets, $25-$59.
, $25-$59. [okcciviccenter.com

Both aspiring and experienced beekeepers will get something out of attending the first Honey Bee Festival this Saturday in Slaughterville. Held at Easom Farms (8656 Banner Road), there will be a beekeeping class from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by a day of free honey bee inspections and honey processing, booths dedicated to all aspects of beekeeping, a farmers market, a dunk tank, and plenty of food and other vendors.
August 16. Admission, free.
facebook.com

Sometimes you need a place to just . . . bee. The best place for that this weekend if the Honey Bee Festival in Slaughterville. Photo courtesy Pexels

The name sounds similar to that famous song about the airworthy people eaters, but the Pink-Eyed Purple Hull Pea Festival is a tribute to the state’s impressive African-American farming heritage going back more than a century. Held in the historically black town of IXL (address: 102193 State Highway 48), this festival is named for the crop that has long been a staple in black agriculture and cooking. Come out to browse a selection of locally grown produce. This event also features educational activities like cooking and farming demonstrations from 9 a.m. to noon, then games and entertainment after 1 p.m.
**August 16. Admission, free.
[TravelOK.com

The historic black town of IXL will welcome the agriculturally curious of today to the Pink-Eyed Purple Hull Pea Festival. Photo courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.