Oklahoma City's Annual Stockyards Stampede On The Way

Surely, we've all seen a scene from an old western movie with cattle running down the field with cowboys running in tow, pushing them along to the next place. Stampedes these days look a little bit differently. If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself this fall.

The 2024 Stockyards Stampede

This year's Stampede is happening October 15th from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. in the Oklahoma National Stockyards, starting at the archway and moving to the National Saddlery Arena.

Old Stigmas

Unlike the old school stampedes you may have seen before, there are a few misconceptions we should address:

Statement: Stampedes are dangerous, you could get run over!

Truth: Sure, you definitely could get run over since you're dealing with animals. But it's almost like watching a car in neutral creep towards you on a level road... couldn't you just step out of the way? Which brings us to our next point.

Statement: The cowboys just run the cattle as fast as they can.

@shells1218 #okcstockyards #stockyardstampede #longhorns #okc ♬ El Paso - Marty Robbins

Truth: If cattle had an endless supply of energy, they definitely could get places quicker without worrying about exhaustion. But, since that isn't the case, they actually encourage the cattle at a normal walking pace. It's also safer for the fans watching the stampede.

The Rest of the Stampede Events

After the cattle been moved, though, the festivities don't stop there. They will also have authentic cowboy cookin' from a chuckwagon right there in the stockyards. Get a taste of cobbler, stew and much more made the old fashioned way, with a real cowboy showing you how its done.

Visitors will also be able to have their picture made with a Straka Longhorn, enjoy live music, cowboy artwork and more.

Some visitors have even found the little known cowboy cafe in the Stockyards, maybe you'll be able to spot it while you're visiting?

@oklahoma.smoke Discover Our Hidden Cowboy Haven! Join us on a 4-minute walk above the bustling cattle lots of OKC’s Historic Stockyard City, leading to our secret dining spot. Established in 1910, this market is the world’s largest stocker and feeder market. Welcome to Oklahoma Smoke, where real cowboys and ranch hands eat. ️✨ #hiddenoklahoma #okchiddengems #cowboyeats #oklahomabbq #burgers #secretmenus #okcstockyards #oklahomatiktok #foodie #okcthunder ♬ original sound - Oklahoma Smoke

The best part of this event is that it's open to the family, pets and is free to watch! Of course the extras, like the Kids Corral, do have costs of their own. But the Stockyards Stampede is coming again this year and you're all invited to join.

Get our free mobile app

Unique Things to Do in Oklahoma City

There is no shortage of things to do in OKC. While there are a handful of things everyone knows about--OKC Zoo, Myriad Gardens, Bricktown, etc-- there are even more lesser-known places to experience one-of-a-kind Oklahomaness. Some things cost a little money, others are completely free, but it's all fun for the whole family.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Where Familiar Oklahoma Sayings Came From

We've all heard these super-common sayings growing up in Oklahoma. They're so common, they're not just Sooner State phrases, but this is where we heard them so often as youths. It's almost funny to learn some of the more seedy origins of phrases our ultra-conservative grandparents used to say. They'd likely turn over in their graves learning some of these meanings.

Gallery Credit: Kelso