EVENT: OCCC "Arts Festival Oklahoma" scheduled
DATE: Aug. 31 - Sept. 3
 A young girl enjoys the children's activity tent at a previous Arts Festival Oklahoma. The 29th year of Arts Festival Oklahoma is scheduled for Aug. 31 - Sept. 3 on the campus of Oklahoma City Community College. |
Oklahoma City's own Arts Festival Oklahoma is scheduled for Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 on the campus of Oklahoma City Community College. The annual festival remains a free event, open to the public.
Arts Festival Oklahoma was first launched in 1978 by the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Central Art Association, Women of the South, and Oklahoma City Community College. The festival's philosophy is providing the citizens of Oklahoma with a cultural experience focusing on Oklahoma fine artists, craftspersons and performing artists. That philosophy has expanded to now feature more than 150 artists from across the country including: Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, California, Kansas, Colorado and Missouri. These artists combine to offer a diverse collection of pottery, sculptures, paintings, photography, glasswork, jewelry, woodwork and many other handmade crafts.
With the support of more than 2,000 volunteers, the Labor Day-weekend festival makes a strong contribution to the quality of life and economic development of this region, bringing in nearly 40,000 guests each year. A 2005 economic impact analysis completed by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce shows Arts Festival Oklahoma is estimated to generate direct spending of almost $1.2 million, and local sales tax revenues of close to $50,000.
In addition to the varied artwork, visitors also look forward every year to the broad variety of performing artists that grace two separate performance stages over the three-day festival. In its 29 year history, Arts Festival Oklahoma has headlined area artists such as The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Ty England, Shenandoah, Janie Fricke and the Platters as well as performance artists from around the world including groups from Israel and Brazil. Set to take the stage this year are country duo the Bellamy Brothers as well as group artists, The Drifters and the Bop Cats among others.
Arts Festival Oklahoma visitors also come for the food. In addition to the traditional festival fares such as foot-long corn dogs, funnel cakes, and ice cream, you can also take a culinary tour around the world tasting Mexican, Greek, German, and other ethnic specialties. This year's festival features 14 different food booths and tents with something for every palate.
Another draw to Arts Festival Oklahoma is the Children's Activity Tent. The festival strives to introduce children of all ages to the arts. In addition to enjoying art and crafts exhibits, as well as a magician and other entertainers, for a $1 admission, kids can play in a giant sandbox and make their own pieces of original art. It's not just the children who enjoy this tent! As one mother says, "I love the children's area. I always have to drag my child out after four or five hours."
Festival hours are Friday, Aug. 31, from 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free. Parking on festival grounds is just $3 per vehicle. Oklahoma City Community College is located at 7777 S. May Ave. For more information, call 405-682-7576 or visit the Arts Festival Oklahoma Web site at www.occc.edu/afo.