Rogers County Fair: An Oklahoman Artisan's Haven

Oklahoma-made Goodness

Rogers County Fair is one of the best-kept secrets in Green Country. It has all the bells and whistles of the Tulsa State Fair--a midway with every fried monstrosity your little taste buds can dream up, mind-numbing carnival rides, red dirt-kicking live music--without draining your bank account on entry and parking, which we all know means more cash for funnel cakes.
Once upon a time, county fairs were a showcase for local farmers and makers. Farmers would vie for biggest produce and finest animals, children would compete with farming skills, and women folk would don their finest gingham to show off their recipes. Rogers County Fair today still captures that agricultural heritage and competitive spirit, encouraging locals to compete in all kinds of areas from agricultural to artistic in nature.
The result is that Rogers County Fair has become a haven for artisans and makers, with categories for competition including every imaginable category from home economics to agriculture to

September 14-17  |   Free Admission

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Claremore Expo Center

400 Veterans Pkwy Claremore, OK 74017

The jewel of the Rogers County Fair is County Square, a real-world Etsy. Located in the Expo Hall, this is the best place in Green Country for browsing an eclectic mix of artisan vendors, local crafters, and unique antique and vintage treasures. Fair promoter Lisa Rogers described the County Square as “a great place for shopping and experiencing local craftsmanship.”
This is a fabulous place to fill your secret Christmas drawer with Oklahoma-made goodness. The Barking Cat is a pet bakery offering innovative, all-natural treats like the Flea Buster Biscuit (Facebook reviews are strong for this one); PUPcakes and PUPcorn, which are said to be a hit with both dogs and cats; and Gus’ Grin, a trippy-looking rainbow smiley-face “cookie.”
For cheese connoisseurs, Bluff Creamery offers artisan sheep cheese crafted on a Talala family farm, and Swan Bros. Dairy offers premium cheese from happy, free-roaming cows. Stock up on sweet hot mustard and pepper butters over at the Small Town Spice booth. You can also find beautiful embroidery, home decor, handcrafted jewelry, artisan soaps, and any number of dreamy items to set your heart aflutter. “We have everything from canning jams and jellies, homemade pies to boutique clothing,” Rogers added.
Whether you are a maker yourself or simply a fan of artisanship, give yourself plenty of time to check out County Square and all of the other incredible competitions on display at the fair.