This year’s Children’s Festival will take place on Friday & Saturday, July 11th and 12th from 11am to 4pm.
All festival programming is FREE for children accompanying a ticketed adult.
Children’s Stage Performances
Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Friday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Children’s Open Mic Hosted by Harper Valley Hypocrites
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Kids Concert featuring the Red Dirt Rangers
Children’s Songwriting Contest entrants and winners will also perform. To apply to perform, please send an email with a video of them performing to ki******@*******st.com by June 27th and we will notify performers with details and schedule.
Children’s Songwriting Contest (NEW EXTENDED DEADLINE)
Songwriters aged 18 and under are invited to submit original songs embodying the spirit of Woody Guthrie and “Woody’s Road” lyrics. Songs will be judged on melody, rhythm, and relevance. The first-place winner will receive $500 cash prize. Those who enter will have the opportunity to perform at the Children’s Festival on Saturday, July 12 in Okemah, OK. To Enter: Submit a video performance of the song and a copy of the lyrics to ki******@*******st.com.
Children’s Festival Events
Special Family Day Saturday, July 12, from 10 AM to 2 PM – Okemah City Park
Don’t miss this community favorite event: Special Family Day at Okemah City Park! Families are invited to enjoy a lively day of free festivities including live performances by WoodyFest artists, a giant water slide, interactive art stations, face painting, free T-shirts, hot dogs, sno-cones, and more. It’s the perfect way to celebrate creativity, community, and summertime fun—WoodyFest style!
Special Events & Workshops
“All You Can Write Is What You See” Creative Writing Workshop: Presented by Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan Center
Friday & Saturday, July 11–12 from 3:00–5:00 PM – St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
“All You Can Write Is What You See” is a creative writing workshop for middle and high school students with programming designed by Anna Canoni (Vice President of Woody Guthrie Publications and Woody’s granddaughter) and will be presented by staff from The Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan Centers from Tulsa. Come join in this fun creative writing workshop. We’ll study how Woody wrote as an observer of the world and learn how to write what we have seen and witnessed around us.”
“Buffalo Tales” Presentation
Friday, July 11, at 12:00 pm at the Benson Family Media Center
Children’s author Desiree Webber tells the story of how fifteen buffalo traveled from the Bronx Zoo, in New York City, to Cache, Oklahoma Territory, in 1907. Webber shares how important this animal was to the Plains Indian nations and why the buffalo almost became extinct. She shows hands-on artifacts such as a buffalo robe, buffalo skull, bones, handmade moccasin, bladder, horn spoon, and more. The audience also learns about the two main predators of bison: the grizzly bear and wolves. Artifacts shown include a grizzly bear hide and a wolf hide. If desired, the author will show a PowerPoint presentation with historical photos of the train’s arrival, historical paintings by George Caitlin, along with current photos of bison.
“Recording Woody’s Legacy” Interactive Recording Session with R.T. Valine, supported by TASCAM
Friday, July 11 at 2:30 p.m. – Benson Media Center
Hosted by WoodyFest veteran artist R.T. Valine with support from TASCAM, this session invites young attendees to join a recording session, where they will learn about recording and record “This Land is Your Land.” Workshop Participants will receive a TASCAM t-shirt (while supplies lasts) and be entered to win a Tascam DR-07x.
Harmonica Lessons with Joe Baxter and John Williams
Friday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Benson Media Center
Join Joe Baxter and John Williams for another year of harmonica lessons at WoodyFest! Attendees will receive a harmonica and participate in an interactive beginner lesson.
Native American Storytelling & Flute Building with Nelson Harjo
Saturday, July 12 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Benson Media Center.
Experience the rich cultural traditions of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation at Native American Storytelling & Flute Building with Nelson Harjo on Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 PM at the Benson Media Center. Nelson Harjo, one of the few remaining traditional flute-makers of the Muscogee Nation, will guide participants through the art of crafting their own flute while sharing ancestral stories passed down through generations. This immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity for children and families to engage with Indigenous knowledge, music, and heritage in a hands-on, meaningful way, celebrating the deep-rooted connection between storytelling, craft, and community.
2025 Children’s Festival
This year’s Children’s Festival will take place on Friday & Saturday, July 12th and 13th from 11am to 4pm Okemah City Park. Everything is 100% free!
