It’s easy for some folks to say it’s time to forget the Dust Bowl. The storms were nearly a century ago, but in Sayre and all across Western Oklahoma, there’s a different story to tell. The Dust Bowl Days Farm & Ranch Festival isn’t about remembering pain—it’s about honoring the strength of those who refused to leave and celebrating the roots that still hold this community together.
This isn’t a festival about hard times. It’s about the people who stayed, who built, who endured, and who welcomed their neighbors home again.
WHY “DUST BOWL DAYS”?
For many in Oklahoma, the name “Dust Bowl” still calls up images of blackened skies and empty farmhouses. But this festival reclaims the name as a badge of honor. Dust Bowl Days is a living tribute to fortitude— a gathering where neighbors, friends, and home comers are all welcome. It’s a call to everyone whose roots run deep, and an open invitation for anyone who wants to understand what true community means. This event celebrates not just survival, but the stubborn hope that built something new from the wind and red dirt.
THE STORY OF THE WILD PLUM JAM Every July, along the riverbanks and creeks near Sayre, wild plums ripen in the heat. Families head out to pick them by the bucket, turning the sweet fruit into jam—a tradition that goes back generations. The Wild Plum Jam Music Fest takes its name from this homegrown bounty. The music festival isn’t just about the sound—it’s about that same spirit: gathering together, sharing what you have, and making something joyful out of what the land provides. That’s why the Wild Plum Jam is more than just a concert. It’s a local harvest, a party, and a homecoming, all wrapped into one.
MISSION AND PURPOSE The Dust Bowl Days Farm & Ranch Festival Company exists for a simple reason: to foster pride in farming and ranching—the foundation of life in Western Oklahoma and the eastern Texas Panhandle—and to offer hope for the future. The mission is to educate, inspire, entertain, and connect the people of Sayre and the surrounding area, honoring the historic and ongoing role of agriculture in shaping the region.
GROWTH, CHALLENGES, AND KEEPING THE FAITH
Growing a festival isn’t easy. It started with a handful of volunteers and a vision. Along the way, the team faced everything from parking headaches to debates about ticket prices, from recruiting young people, to navigating new rules and expectations. But through it all, they kept the mission clear: make it affordable, make it welcoming, and make it something Sayre could be proud of.
We’ve had our growing pains, like anyone. But we work it out, because the purpose is bigger than any one person. We’re building a tradition, not just an event.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: YOUR INVITATION HOME The weekend kicked off Friday evening as the aroma of sizzling burgers and hot dogs filled the air and antique tractors rolled down Main Street.
Friday’s free cookout was more than a meal—it was Sayre’s way of rolling out the welcome mat, drawing families and neighbors together for music, laughter, and a taste of small-town Oklahoma at its best. It’s the kind of start that reminds everyone why they love Sayre—no tickets, no hassle, just a big-hearted invitation to join the fun.
Saturday morning, the Farm & Ranch Parade starts at 10 a.m., turning Main Street into a living postcard. If you’re reading this early, don’t forget your lawn chairs—find a shady spot and let the kids loose with their tennis shoes tied tight. It’s a time-honored tradition for every child in Sayre to scramble for candy thrown from parade floats, while parents and grandparents wave to friends in the passing tractors and classic cars. The weather’s shaping up just right, so bring your sunscreen and a smile.
After the parade, the action moves to Sayre City Park with water inflatables, vendors, educational exhibits, and activities for every age group. It’s a festival designed for family, fun, and making memories.
As evening settles in, the Wild Plum Jam Music Fest takes center stage at the park. Gates open at 5 p.m., music starts at 7, and this year features the Tyler Wilhelm Band, Cody Canada & the Departed, and—by popular demand—Stoney LaRue, who’s become a near-annual tradition in Sayre. This is the one part of the weekend that requires a ticket, but for many, it’s the highlight of the year.
SUNDAY: SINGING, SUPPER, AND FELLOWSHIP
Sunday’s closing event— affectionately known as ‘Dinner on the Ground’— isn’t about eating on the grass. It’s about coming together, bringing whatever meal makes you happy, and sharing the evening with neighbors old and new. Pack a picnic basket, grab a sack of takeout from your favorite diner in town, or just show up and enjoy the music and company.
As the sun sets, the gospel singalong brings voices together in harmony—reminding everyone that true fellowship doesn’t need fancy tables or fine china. It just takes a willing heart and an open seat. After all, where two or more are gathered, good things are bound to happen.
A LEGACY THAT LASTS Behind every song and every meal, there’s a purpose: to show the next generation that the stories of this place are worth remembering. Not because of the storms or the suffering— but because of the people who stayed, and the community they built.
We want folks to know that Sayre is a place you can always come home to. The door’s still open, and there’s a seat at the table for you.
