by Marla Freeman

Looking for some home-grown Oklahoma music? Artists from across the state will be on hand as an expected 7,000 music lovers attend the 37th annual Rose Rock Music Festival, May 4-6 in Noble.

Featured music ranges from country, blues and rock to classical and pop. Local favorite Etowah Road will kick off the event as the headliner Friday night at 7 p.m., and Grammy-nominated musician John Fullbright is scheduled to wrap up the event on Sunday.
“We like to display our Oklahoma talent,” said Brian Houck, immediate past president of the Noble Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Almost all of our bands are native to Oklahoma.”

In addition to showcasing musical artists from across the state, the three-day event is free for  the public to attend and set to feature a car show, food vendors, parade, arts and craft vendors, pony rides, poker run, Great Plains Amusement carnival, disc golf tournament – even professional wrestling.

“We’re also adding an art walk this year,” said Kim Adams, Noble Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Local authors, painters, photographers and more will be able to sell their art at the festival.”

Known as the Rose Rock capital of the world, Noble has been home to the family-friendly festival since the 1980s. The all-outdoor festival’s main stage is located in front of Noble’s City Hall, just a few miles south of Norman.

“I’m a musician, and I like getting all these people together and bringing good music to the event,” Houck said. “The artists we have and the mix of entertainment we have makes it unique. I enjoy the culture it brings to the city.”

Houck said festival goers fly in from all across the United States to check out the artists.

“It’s kind of a reunion,” he said. “A lot of the bands know each other and play with each other in and around the state of Oklahoma and beyond. It’s like a big music family.”

Visit nobleok.org to see a detailed festival schedule. – BSM