Broken Bow, OK - The Forest Heritage Center in Beavers Bend State Park is the site of one of Oklahoma’s most popular fall festivals. The Folk Festival & Craft Show kicks off on Friday, Nov. 11 and runs through Nov. 13. This is the 27th year for this popular free festival, which draws around 16,000 visitors and 70 vendors to Southeast Oklahoma, just in time for the beautiful fall colors.
A stroll through the halls of the Forest Heritage Center is a glimpse into another time when paper and books were crafted by artisans, yarn was hand spun with natural fibers, and friends gathered together to strum on banjos and guitars. Visitors can enjoy one-stop holiday shopping by browsing through rooms filled with hand crafted wooden toys, arts and crafts, Oklahoma wine, and homemade quilts and aprons.
The central courtyard is a haven for children of all ages. Kids will love getting up close and personal with some furry friends in the petting zoo and decorating toy tops with the woodturners while their parents watch some turn-of-the-century, hands-on demonstrations like the blacksmith working at his forge, the basket maker weaving intricate designs, and woodturners delighting crowds with the magic of the lathe.
The sounds of bagpipes, banjos and fiddles will draw visitors to the outdoor stage area to enjoy some Celtic and early American tunes with the backdrop of a Southeast Oklahoma forest. Four of the country’s best folk musician groups will have you clapping your hands and tapping your toes to their rousing tunes.
The outdoor food court will be filled with the tantalizing aroma of roasting corn, smoked barbecue, fish tacos and juicy burgers. Sweet treats will be abundant with funnel cakes, kettle corn, fresh apple cider and homemade ice cream. Take a taste of Folk Festival home with savory beef jerky, sweet sugared pecans, and hand crafted old-time root beer.
Mother Nature will be providing quite a show of her own with the vibrant colors of fall foliage reflecting off our Mountain Fork River. Be sure to check out the rest of Beavers Bend State Park with its train rides, horseback riding, camping, and trout streams.
The Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show is made possible by the Forest Heritage Center Advisory Board, Oklahoma Arts Council, McCurtain County Tourism Authority, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and Oklahoma Forestry Services. Folk Festival is free to the public. Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday.
For more information, contact the Forest Heritage Center Museum (580) 494-6497, email fhc@beaversbend.com or visit www.forestry.ok.gov/folk-festival.
Festival Location: Beavers Bend State Park, 7 miles north of Broken Bow, OK on Hwy 259A.
From OKC: (approx. 4 hour drive) I-40 to Indian Nation Turnpike, exit Highway 3 & 7 at Antlers, go east to Broken Bow. Turn left on Hwy 259 and go 7 miles north to the Beavers Bend State Park entrance on Hwy 259A.
From Tulsa: (approx. 3 hour drive) Highway 75 south to the Indian Nation Turnpike. Exit Highway 3 & 7 at Antlers. Go east to Broken Bow. Turn left on Hwy 259 and go 7 miles north to Beavers Bend State Park entrance on Hwy 259A.
From Dallas: (approx. 3 1/2 hour drive) Take I-30 East to DeKalb, TX. Exit on Hwy 259 north. Stay on Hwy 259 north through Idabel and Broken Bow.
From Texarkana: (approx. 1 1/2 hour drive) Take I-30 west, exit and State Park is 7 miles north of Broken Bow on Hwy 259A. Hwy 82/DeKalb; continue through DeKalb and take Hwy 259 through Idabel, OK to Broken Bow. Beavers Bend State Park is 7 miles north of Broken Bow on Hwy 259A.
Lodging Information: There are several lodging options to suit every pocketbook. The area has over 2000 individual cabins available for nightly rental, as well as motels and camping sites. Visit www.visitmccurtaincounty.com or call 800-52TREES and the Broken Bow
Chamber of Commerce can assist you in finding lodging.