These Are The Best Events In The Great Plains States This Fall
Explore these festivals and events for fun
EDITH HEAD: HOLLYWOOD’S COSTUME DESIGNER
Through September 29
Explore art, history and pop culture at this Edith Head (1897–1981) retrospective at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. See 70 pieces from her Oscar-winning catalog of costumes designed for hundreds of films during the Golden Age of Hollywood. OKCMOA.com, 405-236-3100
ANILA AGHA: SPLENDOR OF SHADOWS
July 27–November 3
This immersive exhibition by Anila Quayyum Agha, known for large-scale installations using light, shadow and pattern, is on display at the South Dakota Art Museum on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings. SDState.edu/South-Dakota-Art-Museum, 605-688-5423
Sturgis, South Dakota, is the place for bikers to be during the annual Motorcycle Rally in August; Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota
84TH STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY
August 2–11
Bikers and non-bikers alike from around the world converge on Sturgis and other Black Hills, South Dakota, destinations during this 10-day regional celebration and motorcycle rally. Explore shows, rides, live entertainment, competitions and more. SturgisMotorcycleRally.com, 605-347-4422
BLOOMIN’ QUILT PARTY
August 3
The Brookings Area Quilt Guild is hosting this free event at Bennett Barn near Aurora, South Dakota. You’ll find quilt displays, a quilt boutique, refreshments and more. BrookingsQuiltGuild.com
In addition to fairground rides, agricultural exhibits and rodeo events, the South Dakota State Fair in Huron will welcome big name entertainers for its grandstand concerts; Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE FAIR
August 28–September 2
A full roster of Western, rodeo and specialty events awaits during this six-day event at the fairgrounds in the east-central South Dakota town of Huron. Grandstand concerts include the Goo Goo Dolls, Trace Adkins and Riley Green. SDStateFair.com
BIG DAM PARTY
August 30–September 2
Live music, fireworks and water activities are among the plans for this Labor Day weekend bash that officially opens new features adjacent to Gathering Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s riverfront park. A recently constructed pedestrian bridge connects the east and west banks of the Arkansas River and Zink Lake, which was created by a new dam south of the bridge. It provides a new recreational area, including a 1,000-foot whitewater flume. CityOfTulsa.org/Zink
MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE MUSIC FESTIVAL
August 30–September 1
Organizers in the southeast Kansas town of Humboldt invite blues and roots musicians from Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri to meet in the middle. Festival-goers can enjoy three days of music and camping, from a music crawl on Friday to Saturday’s session at Revival Music Hall and outdoor performances on Sunday at Camp Hunter Park. Facebook.com/MiddleOfEverywhereHumboldt, 620-875-1565
CHICKASAW NATION ANNUAL MEETING & FESTIVAL
September 27–October 5
A week of family-friendly activities across Chickasaw Nation culminates in a festival on Saturday, October 5, in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Festivities include a parade, storytelling, cultural and game demonstrations, craft classes, live music, arts and crafts markets and more. AnnualMeeting.Chickasaw.net, 580-436-2603
BROKEN ARROW ROSE FESTIVAL & CHALK IT UP ART FESTIVAL
September 27–29
Head to Broken Arrow, just outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a weekend packed with free family fun. Highlights include a Rose Festival with a rose show, art exhibition and kids activity zone; a chalk art competition on Friday evening and all day Saturday; and kite fighting demos during Rose Kites Over Broken Arrow on Sunday. KeepBABeautiful.org/Rose-Festival
You can visit the Oz Museum year-round in Wamego, Kansas, but OZtoberfest comes but once a year, and in 2024, that’s on October 5; Photo by Cale Hupe
WAMEGO OZTOBERFEST
October 5
Follow the yellow brick road to this one-day festival in downtown Wamego, Kansas—home of the Wizard of Oz-focused OZ Museum. Find inflatables and kids activities in Munchkinland, look-a-like contests (for you and your little dog, too), a car show and other special events. The museum gives guided tours and unveils a newly acquired artifact. VisitWamego.com/OZtoberfest, 785-456-7849
Native American dancers take center stage in Rapid City, South Dakota, at the Black Hills Powwow, which also features signers, artisans, food and more.
BLACK HILLS POWWOW
October 11–13
Native American dancers, singers and artisans from across the globe gather in Rapid City, South Dakota, for this 36th annual weekend of meaningful cultural immersions centered on the sights, sounds and tastes of a traditional powwow. BlackHillsPowwow.com, 605-341-0925
See rhinos, big cats, primates and giraffes and more at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, Kansas, as the zoo celebrates its 25th anniversary on October 12; Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Rolling Hills Zoo
ROLLING HILLS ZOO’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
October 12
Celebrate the zoo’s birthday plus Pumpkin PaZOOla with special activities and surprises in the Smoky Hills west of Salina, Kansas. Encounter more than 100 captivating species, including big cats, primates, giraffes and rhinos while enjoying games, treats and entertainment. RollingHillsZoo.org, 785-827-9488
Screenings of more than 200 films, filmmaker Q&As and parties round out the fun at Kansas’ Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita; Photo by James Willson, courtesy of Tallgrass Film Festival
TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL
October 24–27
Now in its 22nd year, the largest independent film festival in Kansas screens nearly 200 documentary, narrative, world cinema, animation, LGBTIA+, retrospective and world- premiering films at downtown Wichita venues. There are also filmmaker Q&As and parties. TallgrassFilm.org, 316-303-9292