Weekly Events Calendar, August 15-21, 2022

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.

Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley bring their hilarious stage show about parenting to Durant. Photo courtesy I Mom So Hard

To paraphrase that classic rap song, "Parenting ain't easy." Join Jen Smedley and Kristin Hensley for a night of laughter when they bring I Mom So Hard to the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant. They'll be winding down with wine and cracking up with stories from their unique experiences as mothers. Laughing this hard is basically an ab workout, so consider attending for both mental and physical health. August 19. Tickets, $35.75-$55.75. choctawcasinos.com/events/imomsohard

As summer wears on, there's less and less green grass in our yards. But to enjoy an entirely different-colored grass, head to Lions Park for the Blanchard Bluegrass Festival. More than ten of the best bluegrass bands in the state will descend upon the city for two days of free musical fun. Pick a spot on the lawn to hear some of the finest pickers plying their trade or bring your own instrument for jam sessions and workshops to help hone your craft. Pack a picnic or visit the food trucks to fuel up on snow cones, tacos, and barbecue. August 19-20. Admission, free. cityofblanchard.us

Take a trip to the ancient past when Jurassic Quest comes to Enid. Photo by Jason Breshears

Dinosaurs have, by some accounts, been extinct for more than 200 years. And if you'll check your driver's license, there's a pretty good chance you aren't even half that old. All the more reason for you to connect with the not-so-recent past at the Stride Bank Center in Enid when Jurassic Quest brings extremely realistic replicas of some of Earth's previous residents for all to enjoy. These dinos move, walk, and play—a few of them even give rides. August 19-21. Tickets, $19-$37. stridebankcenter.com/events/jurassic-quest

Join writers, authors, artists, and your fellow book lovers—including some of your Oklahoma Today staff—at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library for OKC LitFest. Hear from best-selling author Zoraida Córdova, learn about literary agents, find out how writing intersects with roleplaying games, and much more. And if you can't make it in person, there are plenty of online resources available for aspiring writers. August 20. Registration, free. metrolibrary.org/litfest

Get down and dirty and then back up again, but still dirty, at the Brave the Mud Run in Poteau. Photo courtesy Brave the Mud Run

Is running a 5K too easy? Yeah, we didn't think so, either. But apparently some folks need to crank up the degree of difficulty on their runs and they should really check out Poteau's Brave the Mud Run 5K through the Frisco Trails at the Leflore County Fairgrounds. As the name implies, this will not be an event for rupophobics, as getting dirty is half the point. Win or lose, participants will receive a technical wicking shirt and goodie bag, along with a custom medal. August 20. Registration, $40-$45. runsignup.com

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.