Bring the family to Tahlequah and enjoy the Red Fern Festival, a day of old-fashioned fun featuring hound dog field trials, 1930s era children's games, a car show and more. Held annually in April, the Red Fern Festival was inspired by the renowned novel "Where the Red Fern Grows" by native author Wilson Rawls.

The festival evokes the novel's story of simple childhood joys with a wide array of old-fashioned events perfect for the whole family. One of Tahlequah's premier events, the Red Fern Festival spans several city blocks boasting over 150 arts and crafts vendors and an array of gourmet food trucks. Activities cater to all ages, from inflatables, petting zoos, and children’s games to live music that entertains both the young and young at heart. Festival highlights include the Miss Red Fern Pageant, the ever-popular rubber duck race down Town Branch Creek, and the thrilling Hound Dog Field Trials, where coon hunters put their dogs to the test. Come to this award-winning event and transport yourself back to the 1930s while also touring locations from the novel.