Gov. Mary Fallin Invites Oklahomans to Septemberfest at Governor's Mansion and Oklahoma History Center

Governor Mary Fallin and First Gentleman Wade Christensen today announced the 16th annual Septemberfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion and the Oklahoma History Center. The event is free and open to the public and features a variety of activities for the entire family.

“An Oklahoma fall favorite, Septemberfest is a great way to spend time with the whole family,” Fallin said. “I invite all Oklahomans to come out to the Governor’s Mansion and enjoy the great entertainment we’ve assembled. Wade and I are really looking forward to meeting people from all over the state and welcoming them to this wonderful Oklahoma event.”

Sponsored by the Friends of the Mansion, Septemberfest is a celebration of all things Oklahoma, including arts, children’s activities, interactive exhibits, live entertainment and storytelling. Among the attractions returning for this year’s Septemberfest are historic reenactments, agricultural activities and a wide range of Oklahoma performers. Tours of the Governor’s Mansion will be offered throughout the day for Oklahomans who want to experience this state treasure.

Boasting an abundance of exciting activities and interactive games on the Mansion grounds, Septemberfest also includes free admission to the Oklahoma History Center, located just across the street on NE 23rd Street. The museum will feature a variety of activities, performances and educational diversions, as well as its newest exhibit, “Oklahoma @ the Movies.”

A celebration of Oklahomans in the motion picture industry, this exciting new exhibit showcases the creativity and innovation of Oklahomans and their legacy of creating, starring in, and watching motion pictures on the silver screen. The exhibit also explores film stories about Cowboys and Westerns, American Indians and Hollywood, African American movies filmed in the state, the film industry in Oklahoma, and the “Oklahoma Image” on screen.

“We are grateful to our generous sponsors and many volunteers for helping us keep Septemberfest a free, entertaining event for all Oklahomans,” said Jim Hasenbeck, Septemberfest co-chairman.

Black Gold Sponsors for this year’s Septemberfest are Devon Energy and Hobby Lobby. Other major donors include Chesapeake Energy, the Choctaw Nation, Jim and Christy Everest, Love’s Travel Stops, and SandRidge Energy.

As always, admission to Septemberfest is free and parking for the event is available at the state Capitol and at the Oklahoma City-County Health Department just east of the Mansion. Visitors can enter through the west gate on Phillips Avenue. Northeast 23rd Street will be closed during the event to ensure safe crossing to and from the History Center. Guests to Septemberfest are welcome to bring their own picnic lunches or to purchase food from the variety of vendors that will have booths on Philips Avenue, just west of the Mansion.

For more information about the event, contact Friends of the Mansion at (405) 557-0198 or e-mail [email protected].

Septemberfest was started in 1997 by Friends of the Mansion, Inc., a non-profit organization to restore and preserve the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion. The mission of Septemberfest is to provide an interactive opportunity for Oklahoma families and children to celebrate the state’s past, present and future heritage and many diverse cultures.