Governor Fallin and First Gentleman Wade Christensen will host Septemberfest on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, just north of the Governor’s Mansion.
“It has been an honor to host Septemberfest for the past eight years,” said Fallin. “Spending time with fellow Oklahomans and celebrating our state’s history brings me great joy.”
Weather permitting, the governor and first gentleman in the early afternoon will be giving rides to children in a surrey with the fringe on top, similar to the one in the play and movie “Oklahoma!” The carriage will be parked in the circle drive area of the Oklahoma History Center.
This year’s Septemberfest theme is “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’” which recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Broadway debut of the famous musical. The exhibit is now on display at the Oklahoma History Center; it includes the surrey with the fringe on top that the first gentleman and the governor will be steering outdoors.
Septemberfest celebrates what makes Oklahoma unique. The event was founded in 1997 by Friends of the Mansion, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to preserving and improving Oklahoma’s historic Governor’s Mansion as well as its grounds and furnishings. The Oklahoma History Center began co-hosting Septemberfest with Friends of the Mansion in 2004. This is the fourth year the event has been held on the grounds of the Oklahoma History Center.
“Septemberfest has been passed down from governor to governor for the people of Oklahoma,” said Studio Architecture President Jim Hasenbeck, who is in his 16th year as chairman of the event. “The event continues to grow each year, and we love how it gathers people from all over the community together for one day of family fun.”
The festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., features more than 60 attractions for people of all ages.
