Your Guide to the 17th Annual Rock Island Arts Festival (Sept 26–27, 2025)
Downtown Chickasha is getting artsy again! The Rock Island Arts Festival turns 17 this year, bringing two days of original art, live music, hands‑on creativity, and that unbeatable small‑town‑meets‑festival energy right along Chickasha Avenue. It’s one of those weekends when you bump into half your neighbors—and discover a new favorite maker while you’re at it.
Fast facts (bookmark these!)
Dates: Friday–Saturday, September 26–27, 2025.
Hours: Friday 10am–9pm; Saturday 10am–9pm (check back closer to the date in case of tweaks).
Where: Chickasha Ave., 4th–7th Streets, centered around the Rock Island Depot/downtown.
Admission: Free and family‑friendly.
What you’ll find
Expect rows of artist and crafter booths, local musicians and performers, on‑the‑ground art demos, and plenty of delicious food and drink—including wine/beer tastings for the grownups. Kids can dive into the Children’s Creation Station and a Main Street merchants’ treasure trove that makes “Are we there yet?” a non‑issue.
It’s not just a festival—it’s Rock Island Weekend
Plan your Saturday to bounce between these downtown anchors (all a short stroll apart):
Oklahoma Food Truck Championship (OFTC) – Saturday, Sept 27
30+ trucks roll into historic downtown to compete for $10,000 in prizes. Come hungry and vote your taste buds.Chickasha’s Rock Island Ride – Saturday, Sept 27, 9:00am
A charity bike ride with multiple road and gravel routes leaves from 1st & Chickasha Ave. It’s a great morning spin before festival hopping.
(If you love a full schedule, Visit Chickasha’s Rock Island Weekend page bundles all three events and more in one handy spot.)
Family fun, all day
Bring the stroller, the grandparents, and that friend who swears they’re “not artsy” (they’ll leave with a bag of finds). The Creation Station offers free make‑and‑take art, and there’s live music across multiple stages to give your shopping soundtrack a local twist.
Parking & getting around
Most festival action stretches along Chickasha Ave., so park once and wander. The tourism office has a Rock Island Weekend parking map and notes on street closures—peek at it before you head out to snag a close spot.
Pro tips
Saturday gets busy (thanks, food trucks + bike ride), so arrive earlier in the day if you’re after prime parking and first dibs at the booths.
Pack sunscreen and a refillable bottle; you’ll be outside a lot.
Most vendors take cards, but a little cash keeps lines moving for quick bites and small purchases.
Make it a mini‑getaway
In town for the weekend? The festival’s 2025 hotel sponsor is Fairfield Inn & Suites, offering a special $119/night rate if you book by Sept 15 (48‑hour cancellation window). Handy if you’re pairing RIAF with the Food Truck Championship and the Ride.
Are you a maker or musician?
If you’re looking to participate, the festival’s Applications page has the latest on booth/performer availability. The priority deadline was Aug 1, with a $10 late fee after that—worth checking if a last‑minute spot opened up.
See you downtown, Chickasha!
Whether you’re coming for the art, the eats, the music, or all of the above, the 17th Annual Rock Island Arts Festival is the perfect excuse to linger on Chickasha Ave., bump into friends, and support creative folks from around the region. Mark your calendar, invite a crew, and we’ll see you under the festival lights.
Details can shift as we get closer—always confirm hours and updates with the official festival and tourism pages before you go.
Sources & helpful links:
Festival site & features, location & lodging; dates & applications. Rock Island Arts Festival+1
Official dates/hours & address. Travel Oklahoma+1
AARP listing (free, family‑friendly, dates). AARP Local
Oklahoma Food Truck Championship (date, prize, downtown). OFTC
Rock Island Ride (date, start area). Visit Chickasha
