On June 7, 2014, take a step back into history and experience what life was like in the pioneer days at the Chisholm Trail & Crawfish Festival on the Kirkpatrick Family Farm in Yukon, OK.
This festival is the perfect place to introduce your family to a piece of Oklahoma History because the Chisholm Trail actually went right through this area! What is the history of the Chisholm trail? Basically, it is one of the trails Jesse Chisholm used to drive his cattle from Texas to Kansas. His cattle would then be put on trains and sent to larger cities, where the demand for fresh beef was high. Although these cattle drivers were mostly going about their work, they unintentionally also spawned some of the cowboy legends. Watch this short video to learn about the Chisholm trail.
The Chisholm Trail & Crawfish Festival is totally FREE and truly fun for ALL ages.
Get dressed up in your pioneer britches or come in modern day clothes and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells from 9am – 6pm.
Specifically for the kids
- Pony Rides
Saddle up, little partner! - Petting Zoo
- Train Rides
- Kids Kreative Korral, where handmade crafts abound.
- Pan for Gold
- Crawfish Races and much more!
For ALL Ages
- Mosey on down the Old Western Storefront, which includes a saloon, a jailhouse, a General Store, etc.
- Watch Gun Fights and Civil War Reenactments.
- Play teacher or student in a one room Schoolhouse.
- Enjoy the Wild West Show with Buffalo Bill (Ok, so it’s, Kent Shelton being Buffalo Bill, but he is as close as you are going to get in this day and age.)
- Learn all about blacksmithing from making tools to jewelry.
- Walk the trails to encounter settlers’ campsite.
- Roam the beautiful grounds.
- Shop at the craft booths & exhibits
- Satisfy your belly with some delicious FOOD!
Cajun Style
Oh, and don’t forget to add a little Cajun twist…Crawfish abounds at this festival. There are plenty, and I mean troughs full, of these little delicacies to eat. (Personally, I am not fond of these beady-eyed, red-hot, little creatures but those who enjoy them, really enjoy this food spot! Instead, I enjoy the Chuck Wagon offerings.)
The Cajun/Zydeco musical stylings of Snake Eyes and the Bug Band will be entertaining the crowd throughout the day. Apparently, it’s the kind of music that you just can’t help but dance to because sometimes members of the band pop out into the crowd, grab a partner and get to toe tappin’.
Directions
Yukon is super easy to find. Simply, follow I-40 west to Exit 136. Turn north onto Garth Brooks Boulevard. The Kirkpatrick Farm is located at 1001 Garth Brooks Boulevard. (By the way, did you know Garth Brooks is from Yukon? Now, you do!)
Come on out and have fun with a little piece of history!
