Septemberfest 2019 canceled as repairs begin on the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion

An abbreviated version of this story appears in Saturday's The Oklahoman.

Septemberfest shelved as work gets underway at Governor's Mansion

A popular free fall festival is being shelved as long-awaited work gets underway at the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion.

Septemberfest, a family-friendly event that annually features an array of demonstrations, activities and attractions at the Governor’s Mansion, the Oklahoma History Center and along NE 23, has been postponed while repairs are made to the state-owned 1928 Dutch Colonial house.  

The festival, which marked its 21st edition in 2018, was founded 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. Then-Gov. Frank Keating and first lady Cathy Keating hosted the first Septemberfest in 1997, and the tradition has been passed down to subsequent administrations, with the first family hosting each installment.

“We are so excited to announce that renovations are finally underway to the Governor’s Mansion. As these long-awaited repairs occur, we are postponing Septemberfest until the re-opening of the Governor’s Mansion,” said first lady Sarah Stitt, who is also chairwoman of Friends of the Mansion, in a statement to The Oklahoman.

“Additionally, we will be launching a newly imagined Septemberfest with its original mission intact -- for local families to experience Oklahoma’s history and its many diverse cultures and industries in a fun and educational environment.”

Thousands of people from across Oklahoma attend Septemberfest each year, with attractions that have included tours of the Governor’s Mansion, arts and crafts, living history performers, laser tag, pony rides, a petting zoo, agricultural displays, giant inflatable slides and a 19th-century cannon from Fort Sill that booms on the hour. The activities are all free.

In 2004, the Oklahoma History Center began co-hosting Septemberfest and offering free admission during the event. It has become one of the biggest days of the year for the museum.

Steve Hawkins, the Oklahoma History Center’s marketing director, said in an email that the costs of producing the event – ranging from tent rentals to extra security – prohibit the history center from putting on Septemberfest on its own. He said staffers look forward to being a big part of future Septemberfests and helping the first family continue the tradition.

Lauren Dunlap, the first lady’s chief of staff, said in an email there is no clear timeline for the return of Septemberfest since it’s not clear how long the repairs to the Governor’s Mansion will take.

The three-story, 14,000-square-foot house has been in need of major work, including rebuilding rotting windows, replacing the heating and cooling system and waterproofing the basement, for several years. All the work must be done while preserving the historic character of the 91-year-old building as well as its historic furnishings and artwork.

-BAM