Weekly Events Calendar, May 22-28, 2023

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.

Let the healing power of blues, rock, country, and Americana wash over you at the annual Medicine Park Roots Ball. Photo by Juraj Varga

Ready to relax with some sweet melodies and thought-provoking lyrics in one of Oklahoma's premier vacation spots? Music lovers will be in heaven when Medicine Park hosts its annual Roots Ball in Hitchin' Post Park. For three days, this free music festival will host roots and Americana musicians by the score. Bring a lawn chair, some kids, and some pets to this family and animal friendly event and don't worry about cooking, as local restaurants and food and beverage vendors will be on-site to slake thirsts and satisfy hungers to the tunes of acoustic guitars. May 26-28. Admission, free. facebook.com

Oklahoma is part of the Great Plains, but for anyone who thinks the Sooner State is flat and featureless, the Tour De Meers is calling. This annual bike ride includes routes of 10, 22, 36, and 60 miles, some of which wind through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for an up-close view at Oklahoma's abundant flora and fauna. Don't worry about finishing first, because the Tour De Meers isn't a race at all. It's a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the state. May 27. Registration, $35-$55. tourdemeers.org

The rubber meets the road with cycling routes up to sixty miles long at the Tour De Meers. Photo by Dietmar Silber

Since 1903, the town of Boley has hosted that most-Oklahoman of community events—a rodeo. The Boley Open Rodeo is a chance to join the celebration of one of Oklahoma's historic all-black towns while enjoying the heart-pounding action of bronc riding, steer wrestling, and mutton busting. Stick around for the annual parade and enjoy the barbecue while taking in some live entertainment. May 27. Tickets, $7-$12. thetownofboley.org/rodeo

Outside of soccer, martial arts, and painfully reminding a spouse to shut up, most people don't get enough kicks to fulfill their daily recommended allowance. Thankfully, the city of Bethany is overflowing with kicks for all to get during the Bethany 66 Festival. Celebrate the Mother Road and the charming suburb built around it during a Saturday full of food trucks, sidewalk sales, and family friendly activities. Car lovers will want to drool over the vehicles of yesteryear at the car show and everyone else can enjoy live music and more in the entertainment tent. May 27. Admission, free. bethanyimprovementfoundation.com

Visitors to the Chuck Wagon Festival at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum get hands-on experience in frontier living. Photo courtesy National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Oklahoma doesn't like to get too formal, which is probably why we call them chuck wagons instead of Charles wagons. Does that sound completely false? It probably is! Learn the real story at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's annual Chuck Wagon Festival. Now in its thirty-second year, the festival is two days of frontier fun with western and Native American history, art, and cuisine for visitors. There's rope making, archery, a petting zoo, comedy shows, demonstrations, and so much more it's hard to believe they squeeze it all into one festival. May 27-28. Admission, $15. nationalcowboymuseum.org

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.