OrangeFest 2018 will offer attendees plenty to see, hear and taste during the annual festival event in downtown Okmulgee on Friday, April 13. It’s a family friendly evening of live music, food trucks, art displays, and includes the annual Glo Run 5K.
For more than 70 years, Okmulgee has been home to OSU Institute of Technology, and OrangeFest is a unifying “town and gown” symbol of the longstanding relationship between the campus and community.
“With the opening of the Grand Old Post Office Student Housing this year, more students are now calling downtown Okmulgee home,” said Shari Erwin, OSUIT’s executive director of Marketing & Communications. “OrangeFest provides an opportunity for the community to learn more about the campus and for students to learn more about the Okmulgee community.”
Several of the campus’s student clubs and academic programs will be involved in activities that showcase OSUIT’s distinctive educational opportunities. OSU mascot Pistol Pete also will be making an appearance for photo opps.
Headlining the OrangeFest main stage is local band The Get Down, performing favorite Top 40 covers starting at 7:30 p.m. The band will also serve as OrangeFest DJs before and after their live performances.
“The Get Down is a great cover band playing the latest hits plus some old school favorites. They are definitely going to make everyone want to ‘get down,’” said Heather Sumner, executive director of Okmulgee Main Street. “So plan on bringing your chairs or even a blanket to spread out on the Council House lawn and enjoy this family fun event.”
In addition to The Get Down, local radio station 1240 The Brew will be broadcasting live from OrangeFest.
No festival is complete without music, Sumner said.
“It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are, music brings people together,” she said. “This year with having a band and DJ, I think we’ll have something for every festival-goer.”
The same can be said for the food options available during OrangeFest.
Four food trucks will be open and ready to serve that Friday night.
Sumner said there will be something to tempt every palate at OrangeFest this year.
“No two food trucks are alike,” Sumner said. “Come hungry and bring plenty of cash. You'll definitely want to try out more than one truck.”
Two new food trucks to OrangeFest include Okmulgee’s Boss’n Hogs BBQ that will be serving up mouthwatering barbecue and McAlester-based Phat Candy’s that offers Cajun cuisine with a twist.
Returning to OrangeFest is Tasty Beats food truck, serving up American favorites, and ice cream food truck 8230 Enterprises.
The downtown eateries will also be open and ready to serve hungry OrangeFest patrons.
“Some of our favorite downtown restaurants will be open as well. Kirby’s Café, El Don’s Mexican Grill and Cantina, and our newest addition to the Council House Square, Tavern 56 will be open by OrangeFest,” she said. “We hope you enjoy one, or maybe something from all of them during the festival. All establishments and food trucks will be open as early as 4 p.m., so needless to say, you will not need to cook that night.”
Sumner said having good food and food entertainment is key to any successful community event or festival.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of festival it is, good food is a must,” she said. “Food and entertainment equals people at your event, and we want a lot of people.”
For more on this year’s performers and food options, go to osuit.edu/orangefest.