What Dust Bowl Days Is
Dust Bowl Days Farm and Ranch Festival is a three-day community festival in Sayre, on Route 66 in western Oklahoma. It honors the western Oklahoma families who survived the Dust Bowl and highlights the efforts of farmers to restore the land. The 2026 festival ran July 17 to 19, with a parade, a poker run, kid-friendly activities and the Wild Plum Jam music festival, all centered on Oklahoma's agricultural heritage.
What Happens
The schedule has shifted a little from year to year, but the festival has followed the same weekend pattern: a Friday evening kickoff, a big Saturday, and a quiet Sunday.
| Day | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Friday | Kickoff at Sayre City Park. Recent years have included an antique tractor cruise-in, a free hamburger feed, outside games and a street dance. In 2026 the Wild Plum Jam concert was held Friday night. |
| Saturday | A Farm and Ranch Parade in downtown Sayre in the morning, then live music, water inflatables, food trucks and family activities. Earlier editions also included rodeo arena events, educational exhibits and hands-on activities, old-fashioned games, local vendors, free swimming and miniature golf. |
| Sunday | A gospel singing program under the park pavilion, which in some years has been followed by a Sunday dinner on the ground. |
Wild Plum Jam
Wild Plum Jam is the festival's ticketed Red Dirt and Texas country concert, held at Historic Sayre City Park. The fifth annual show took place Friday, July 17, 2026: gates opened at 5 p.m., music ran from 6 to 10 p.m., and Pat Green and Casey Donahew headlined, with Presley Haile and Tyler Wilhelm also performing. Food trucks and a beer garden called the Watering Hole were on site.
- Early-bird tickets: $35
- Price rises to $40 at noon on the day of the show
- Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult
- Tickets were sold online through the festival's ticketing page and KECOFM.com
Cost
Admission to the festival's other events is free. Only the Wild Plum Jam concert requires a ticket. Prices can change from year to year, so check before you go.
Who It Is For
Farm and ranch families, Route 66 travelers, history fans and music fans. Antique tractor owners are welcome at the Friday cruise-in, and families with kids will find games, inflatables and swimming.
Where
Sayre City Park, 1505 S 4th St, Sayre, OK 73662. Downtown Sayre hosts the Saturday parade. Sayre is within about 5 miles of I-40 and Route 66, and tour groups and bus parking are accommodated.
Questions
Is the festival free?
Yes, except for the Wild Plum Jam concert.
Can kids go to the concert?
Children 12 and under are free with an adult.
Who do I call?
The festival lists 580-729-0469 and (580) 374-2845.
Will the 2027 dates change?
The festival has been held in mid-July in recent years. Confirm the next dates with the festival before you plan a trip.
Official Links
- Dust Bowl Days Farm and Ranch Festival and Wild Plum Jam on TravelOK
- Dust Bowl Days Farm and Ranch Festival on TravelOK
- Wild Plum Jam turns five
- Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2026
- Oklahoma Today events calendar
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Elk City Rodeo of Champions
Labor Day weekend PRCA rodeo in Elk City, listed for September 3-5. Dates come from a festival guide listing and are not yet confirmed by organizers.
Elk City, OK Official event details - Beckham County Free Fair and Junior Livestock Show
Free fair and junior livestock show for 4-H and FFA members from public, private or home schools in Beckham County, scheduled Sept 10-12, 2026 and run under rules set by the county fair board.
- OCA Steer Carcass Challenge
Feedout and carcass contest from the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation and Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association: steers delivered Nov. 13, 2026 in Stillwater are fed out, harvested April-June 2027 and scored on feedyard performance and carcass merit.
- Freeman Beef Genetics Red Label Vol. II Cattle Sale
Seedstock cattle sale starting 1 p.m. at 13435 State Highway near Hobart.
13435 State Highway, Hobart, OK Official event details - Minco Honey Festival
Honey festival in Minco, listed for December 5. Dates come from a festival guide listing and are not yet confirmed by organizers.
Minco, OK Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.