Weekly Events Calendar: August 3-9, 2026

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.

When Will Rogers told a crowd in Vinita to "have a rodeo here next year," no one could have guessed it would go on to be a ninety-year tradition. The Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo & Parade returns with four nights of action, featuring everything from bull riding and bareback bronc riding to barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping. The annual parade is August 5, with more than a hundred entries marching down historic Route 66 before the arena takes center stage. It's a fitting tribute to one of Oklahoma's favorite sons, and a great excuse to dust off your cowboy hat.
August 3-8. Admission, free.
willrogersmemorialrodeo.com

You’re gonna want to look up for this one. The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival fills the Shawnee skyline with colorful hot air balloons during two days of balloon glows. Beyond the balloons, there’s also live concerts, food trucks, local vendors, carnival rides, and even an after-dark drone show. You can book a tethered or commercial ride to get a whole new perspective, or leave the flying to the professionals and enjoy the view with a funnel cake in hand. Festivities will take place near the Citizen Potawatomi Nation headquarters.
**August 7-8. Admission, free.
e. [firelakeballoonfest.com

Colorful hot air balloons will light up the night during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival August 7-8 in Shawnee. Photo courtesy Citizen Potawatomi Nation

It’s a weekend of flavor and fun at the United Way BBQ Showdown in Ardmore’s Regional Park. The weekend kicks off Friday with Cajun Night, where cooking teams dish out all-you-can-eat favorites like gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, and boiled shrimp before Saturday shifts into full barbecue mode with brisket, ribs, and more. Between bites, enjoy live music, craft vendors, cornhole, pickleball, and activities for the kids. It all benefits the United Way of South Central Oklahoma, so you’ll get to eat good and do good—what’s better than that?
**August 7-8. Tickets, $5-$10.
s, $5-$10. [uwsco.org

Rush Springs doesn’t call itself the Watermelon Capital of the World for nothing. The annual Rush Springs Watermelon Festival attracts over 20,000 people each year who collectively consume more than 50,000 pounds of (free) watermelon! Along with all the refreshing watermelon you could eat, there’s arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, a seed spitting contest, carnival rides, and more. Just make sure you come hungry for watermelon!
**August 8. Admission, free. e. [facebook.com

Rush Springs Watermelon Festival returns August 8, bringing our refreshing state vegetable back to the masses. Photo courtesy Lori Duckworth

Did you know America’s favorite firefighting bear turns eighty-two this year? Well, it’s not too late to celebrate Smokey Bear’s birthday! Three Oklahoma State Parks are hosting Smokey Bear’s Birthday Celebration complete with scavenger hunts, crafts, games, giveaways, and more. You can get a selfie with the bear himself or with Park Pal, Oklahoma’s very own raccoon mascot. Head to Lake Thunderbird, Salt Plains, or Tenkiller State Park to join the celebration, but don’t forget to respect Smokey’s home and heed this year’s theme: Leave No Trace.
**August 8. Admission, free.
ission, free. [facebook.com

It is Smokey Bear's birthday, and several Oklahoma State Parks are celebrating. Check out special events August 8 at Lake Thunderbird, Salt Plains, and Tenkiller State Parks. 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.