EVENT: Arts Festival Oklahoma
DATE: Sept. 1-4
 The Oklahoma City Philharmonic is always a favorite at Arts Festival Oklahoma. The performance begins at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, and concludes with a fireworks display. |
Oklahoma City’s own Arts Festival Oklahoma is scheduled for Sept. 1 through 4, 2006, on the campus of Oklahoma City Community College, located in southwest Oklahoma City. The 28th annual festival is a favorite Labor Day weekend event drawing more than 30,000 people each year.
Presented by OCCC, the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Central Arts Association and Women of the South, the festival is one of the top arts and crafts shows in the southwest. The event primarily features arts and crafts displayed by participants from Oklahoma.
Other states such as Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, California, Kansas, Colorado and Missouri are also represented. Together, the artists offer an incredibly diverse collection of pottery, sculpture, paintings, photography, glasswork, jewelry, woodwork and other unique handmade items.
In addition to presenting a variety of local performing artists on its two stages everyday, the festival has established the tradition of presenting world renowned entertainers throughout the weekend.
This year’s headlining entertainment opens with Billy Richards’ Coasters on Friday night, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. One of the first Black bands to cross over from R&B to rock and roll, the Coasters remained among the most important influences on popular music throughout the 1950s. Some of the Coasters' hits include "Poison Ivy," "Charlie Brown," "Along Came Jones" and "Yakety Yak."
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic returns for their much-revered evening concert on Saturday, Sept. 2. Now a tradition, the Philharmonic has consistently been the festival's most popular concert. The performance begins at 8:30 p.m. and will be capped by a glorious display of fireworks.
Country music artist Janie Fricke will perform some of her greatest hits on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Named Best Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association, Fricke’s performances include her hits "Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby," "He's a Heartache" and "You're Heart's Not in It."
Through the Children’s Creative Center, Arts Festival Oklahoma introduces thousands of children to the arts. The area operates during the entire festival and offers a dynamic variety of age specific arts and crafts activities, face-painting, and a giant sand box.
Festival hours are Friday, Sept. 1, from 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free. Parking on the festival grounds is $3 per vehicle. The College is located at 7777 S. May.
For more information, call OCCC at 405-682-7576 or visit www.occc.edu/afo.