Oklahoma Frontier Experience
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
As soon as you pass through the rugged entrances and split rail fencing, you’ll wonder if you’ve left the Oklahoma State Fair and entered the Wild West! Oklahoma Frontier Experience (OFE) is an interactive discovery zone that steps back in time through shows, demonstrations, and activities designed to give both city slickers and country folk an experience they will never forget.
Wild West Showcase
The heroes and outlaws from all the Frontier shows, along with several new special guests, unite for The Wild West Showcase twice a day. The Showcase celebrates the serious and the comedic Oklahoma frontier and features the old-fashioned thrills of trick roping and trick riding combined with modern stunts that will delight fairgoers of all ages.
New! Garrett Underwood – Texas Trick Rider
The Oklahoma State Fair is excited to welcome this young Texas cowboy as one of the elite performers in the Oklahoma Frontier Experience. Garrett started learning his trade at the age of 14 and has continued to master his trick riding skills. He loves to compete and has won the Texas Open and Reserve Men’s winner in the NATRA. Come out and let’s give him a strong Oklahoma HOWDY!
New! Mr. Bojangles & Jerry Thornton
Everyone loves a feel good story about a horse and his owner and this one is no different. Mr. Bojangles weighed only 300 pounds and was bald from his neck to his tail, with wire cuts on his legs when Jerry Thornton rescued this black stallion from Hurricane Katrina. Now at 900 pounds and looking beautiful, Mr. Thornton’s love, care, and training has made Mr. Bojangles one of the top trick horse stars in the rodeo world. Be awestruck as he waves, kneels, dances, bows, and walks around on two feet and that’s just the horse!
New! Escaramuza Charra Flor Imperial
Annette Hernandez leads this team of talented young women and brings this Mexican charreria sport to the 2023 Oklahoma State Fair. Escaramuza charra is the only female equestrian event in the Mexican charreria. Escaramuza means “skirmish” and consists of a team riding horses in choreographed and synchronized maneuvers to music. The ladies ride sidesaddle and wear traditional Mexican outfits that include sombreros, dresses, and matching accessories. Catch them performing in the Wild West Showcase during the 1 & 7 p.m. shows both Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the Fair.
Roper Kiesner - All Around Cowboy
Returning to the Oklahoma State Fair for his second year, Roper is a 5th generation horseman, riding before he could walk and competing by the time he was three. At age eight he started performing Roman riding & trick riding and was a Reserve World Champion Youth Trick Rider. Roper grew up on the road performing at rodeos and wild west shows with his family all over North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Since then, Roper has competed as a PRCA cowboy in team roping and saddle bronc riding. Roper continued to hone his skills in the western arts of trick roping, whip cracking, gun spinning, and mounted shooting. Roper looks forward to seeing you at the Oklahoma State Fair and showing you the skills of the cowboy way of life!
Dusti Crane-Dickerson, Barefoot Roman & Trick Rider
From Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede to some of the best rodeos in the world, Dusti Crain-Dickerson has wowed crowds with her superb horsemanship and daring performances. Be amazed by her incredible stunts during the Wild West Showcase!
Charro Gabriel Hernandez
For his 3rd year, welcome Oklahoma City’s own charro, Gabriel Hernandez who began riding horses before he could walk and is one of the youngest performing charros at the age of 16. He rides his horse, El Vallo, and is a rare left-handed talent that comes from many generations of experienced horsemen. Catch him every night at the 7 p.m. Wild West Showcase.
Jessica Blair Fowlkes, Liberty Rider
Dazzling audiences across the nation, this girl sparkles as she performs crazy things on her four fun-loving horses. You’ll be awed with her trick riding splendor and liberty exhibition.
Andy Stewart, Pro Rodeo Announcer
Andy Stewart brings energy and entertainment to every Rodeo performance. He’s been recognized as one of the very best in the business and has won several PRCA Rodeo awards over the years and gained accolades and prestige as the voice of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The Wild West Showcase wouldn’t spark without Mr. Stewart’s wit and energetic booming voice.
Frontier Shows
Cowboy Jim Garling
Mr. Garling, a native Oklahoman from Guthrie, returns with his guitar still strapped on his shoulder. He’ll perform cowboy-era music, classics from the silver screen heroes, and some favorites from contemporary artists. Fairgoers young and old will enjoy his incredible vocal style, remarkable guitar skills, and the little doses of history he shares about the songs.
Just a Little Horse Sense
Once a day, the Oklahoma Frontier Experience posse will show you the astounding relationship that can be formed between human and horse. Get to the Fair early because you don’t want to miss this.
ShenaniGuns! Comedy Wild West Show
The Wild West goes wack-o when Sheriff Hoppalong Casually, Deputy Leon Jones, Bad Bob, and Bubba Bob fire off a laugh-a-minute load of funny one-liners, silly sight gags and crack-up cornball comedy.
Plains Indian Dancers
Oklahoma is home to numerous Indian tribes. What better way to honor the tradition than through dance! Under the direction of Laura Bushyhead, the color and pageantry of Native America lives on in the daily performances by some of Oklahoma's best dancers.
Oklahoma Frontier Cloggers
What do you get when you combine tap with line dancing? Hold on to yer hat as three Oklahoma clogging clubs, City with Just a Lil’ Country Cloggers, Cottonwood Creek Cloggers and The Okie Stompers combine forces to bring the ultimate toe-tappin’ show.
Discover the Frontier!
The wild ways of the Oklahoma frontier seep into every part of OFE. Experience a frontier church service, see a working chuck wagon camp, and visit with all the talented frontier craftsmen. Then look inside a life-size teepee and get up close and personal with Longhorn cattle and horses.
Comes As You Are Church Services
Sunday, September 17 & Sunday, September 24 – 9 a.m.
The Oklahoma State Fair is proud to offer “Come As You Are” Sunday service. Rain or shine, join Pastor and Chuck Wagon Master, David Roberts “just as you are” for an uplifting message and time of fellowship.
Fiber to Felt to Historical Hats
Cindie is part of a husband-and-wife team who are very passionate about keeping history alive and passing on the skills and trades used by our ancestors. She’ll demonstrate how felt is made and then turned into a historical felt hat.
Rope Making
As the other part of this husband-and-wife team, Bob is passionate about several historical crafts, and one of his favorites is transforming strands of cord into a strong rope. Drop by, say hi, and watch him create. Maybe you’ll get to make and take your own little piece of history home.
Early American Potter
From digging up the clay to the finished product, learn what it took to make pottery back in the 1800’s. Showcasing her amazing craftsmanship, Reggie will show you the various methods it takes to make products that were used in the frontier’s everyday life!
Deep Fork Chuck Wagon Cookin'
David and Sheryl Roberts’ working chuck wagon display takes you back to a time when modern conveniences didn’t exist. Timing is everything and maybe you’ll be able to sample of taste of the old west and Oklahoma grub.
Blacksmiths of the Frontier
The Saltfork Craftsmen Artist-Blacksmiths show fairgoers the art and skill of blacksmithing. Frontier blacksmiths forged items out of necessity; today's blacksmiths are using those same skills to make everything from tools and decorative pieces to jewelry.
Lost Art of Wooden Bowl Turning
Using a human-powered spring pole lathe, Roger Abrahamson shows crowds bowl turning techniques that date back thousands of years.
For the Li'l Wranglers
Mutton Bustin’
If your child lives for excitement and dreams of riding in the rodeo, then let him/her try mutton busting. Maybe you'll discover the next NFR Bull Riding Champion? Registration and waivers required; restrictions apply.
REGISTRATION & RULES
Registration takes place at the OK Kid’s Corral, inside OFE, 30 minutes before each show.
Ages 4-6, max 60 lbs. (strictly enforced)
All children must weigh-in, no exceptions. Each child must have parent/guardian sign a release. A helmet & vest will be provided and must be worn. No spurs or ropes allowed. Each show is first-come, first-served as entry is limited.
OK Kids' Corral Activities
Grab yer hat and ride on in for the sack racin’ stampede, the stick horse rodeo or some dummy ropin’ fun held in the OK Kids’ Corral. Before you leave, be sure to have yer kin snap a picture at the Li’l Wrangler Photo Op.
