Septemberfest canceled due to renovations
A popular free fall festival is being shelved as long-awaited work gets underway at t he Oklahoma Governor's Mansion.
Septemberfest, a familyfriendly event that annually features an array of demonstrations, activities and attractions at the Governor's Mansion, the Oklahoma History Center and along NE 23, has been postponed while repairs are made to the stateowned 1928 Dutch Colonial house.
The festival, which marked its 21 st edition in 2018, was founded by Friends of t he Mansion, a nonprofit, non partisan organization committed to preserving and improving Oklahoma's historic Governor's Mansion, its grounds and furnishings. Then- Gov. Frank Keating and first lady Cathy Keating hosted the first Septemberfest in 1997, and the tradition has been passed down to subsequent administrations, with the first family hosting each installment.
“We are so excited to announce that renovations are finally underway to the Governor's Mansion. As these long-awaited repairs occur, we are postponing Septemberfest until the re- opening of the Governor's Mansion,” said first lady Sarah Stitt, who is also chairwoman of Friends of the Mansion, in a statement to The Oklahoman.
“Additionally, we will be launching a newly imagined Septemberfest with its original mission intact — for local families to experience Oklahoma's history and its many diverse cultures and industries in a fun and educational environment.”
Thousands of people from across Oklahoma attend Septemberfest each year, with attractions that have included tours of the Governor' s Mansion, arts and crafts, living history performers, laser tag, pony rides, a petting zoo, agricultural displays, giant inflatable slides and a 19thcentury cannon from Fort Sill that booms on the hour. The activities are all free.
In 2004, the Oklahoma History Center began co-hosting Septemberfest with free admission during the event. It has become one of the biggest days of the year for the museum.
Steve Hawkins, the Oklahoma History Center's marketing director, said in an email that the costs of producing the event — including for tent rentals and extra security — prohibit the history center from putting on Septemberfest on i ts own. He said staffers look forward to being a big part of future Septemberfests and helping the first family continue the tradition.
Lauren Dunlap, the first lady's chief of staff, said in an email there is no timeline for the return of Septemberfest since it's not clear how long the repairs to the Governor's Mansion will take.