The 2024 Okmulgee Pecan Festival is set to return on Oct. 12 at the Claude Cox Omniplex, offering a full day of family-friendly fun from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. While the festival has seen significant changes this year – with no carnival or food trucks – it remains a steadfast symbol of community resilience.

— A Brief History of the Okmulgee Pecan Festival The Okmulgee Pecan Festival has been a highlight of the town’s calendar for decades, celebrating Oklahoma’s rich pecan heritage.

• 1980s: The festival was launched as a small community event honoring local pecan growers. It grew rapidly, soon featuring carnival rides, food trucks and other attractions, drawing visitors from across the state.

• 1990s–2000s: The event reached its peak, including parades, talent shows, baking contests and more. The Pecan Festival became a staple of Okmulgee, reflecting the town’s unique culture and love of family-friendly entertainment.

• 2020–2022: The festival faced disruptions, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Theft incidents in two consecutive years – in which key equipment, including electrical wiring, was stolen – forced organizers to rethink how the event could be managed. “This was really tough for us,” shared festival organizer Kelly Baehler. “Two years in a row, we were stolen from. The first year it was backpacks, and the second year it was electrical cords. The carnival vendors didn’t feel safe coming back.”

— Changes for 2024: A Community Focus

This year’s festival will be different, but its heart remains the same. Due to challenges like theft and financial constraints, organizers have shifted their focus to a more local, community-driven experience. Despite the hardships, the festival will continue with a full schedule of activities designed to bring Okmulgee’s residents together.

“We’re going to be fabulous. We’ve got bouncy houses, the churches are doing carnival-type games and civic organizations will be doing food,” Baehler explained, emphasizing how the town has rallied together to keep the festival going. The decision to scale back, eliminating carnival rides and food trucks, was driven by the thefts and rising costs, but the festival is moving forward as a free, family-friendly event.

“The whole point of this festival is community,” Baehler added. “We want this to be an event where families can come without worrying about breaking the bank. Civic organizations and churches are stepping up to provide affordable, budget-friendly food options. We’re not taking any of the money they raise they get to keep it for their causes.”

— Highlights of the 2024 Pecan Festival

Despite the challenges, this year’s festival will offer plenty of exciting activities including but not limited to:

• Talent Showcase: Okmulgee students will take the stage to showcase their singing, dancing and musical talents from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Baking Contest: A longstanding favorite, the baking contest will feature both adult and youth categories, with pies, cakes, cookies and muffins – all featuring pecans, of course!

• Car and Bike Show: The first annual Chamber Car and Bike Show will allow the community to vote for their favorite vehicles, with tickets available for $1.

• Community Booths: Local churches and civic organizations will host game booths and sell affordable, fair-style food.

— A Message to the Community This year’s Okmulgee Pecan Festival is a testament to the town’s resilience. “Despite everything, the festival is going on. It’s free, it’s community-focused, and it’s about showing that we can come together, even after facing challenges,” Baehler emphasized. “It’s important for people to understand that this isn’t about the Chamber needing money – it’s about taking the financial pressure off families. Times are tough, and we want this to be something everyone can enjoy.”

Baehler closed by addressing the importance of unity in the community: “Let’s come together, support both the Chili Fest and the Pecan Festival, and make this day a celebration of what makes Okmulgee strong. This is about our kids, our neighbors, and our town.”

For more information or to register for the events, contact the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce at 918 756-6172 or Kelly Baehler at 918-346-3954.