Okemah, Oklahoma

The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
July 14-18, 2010
Woodrow Wilson (Woody) Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma on July 14, 1912. He wrote thousands of songs (including This Land is Your Land), poems, newspaper and magazine articles and six books including his autobiography - Bound for Glory.
Woody traveled the United States during the '30s and '40s (often hopping freight trains or hitchhiking) performing his music. His songs and his performances often drew attention to social injustices and wrongdoings and were sometimes a rallying cry to action.
Woody died on October 3, 1967 in New York City after a fifteen-year battle with Huntington's Disease. In 1966 the United States Department of the Interior gave Woody Guthrie 'The Conservation Service Award'; in 1988 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1997 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame; and, Woody was posthumasly inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2006.
Woody Guthrie was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2000 Grammy Awards, recognizing his lifelong artistic contributions to the recording industry. In addition, at least four books have been written about Woody Guthrie.



Okemah . . . the County seat of Okfuskee County is conveniently located on Interstate 40 (exit 221). 70 miles east of Oklahoma City & 66 miles southwest of Tulsa, OK. Okemah is a thriving community of approximately 3,000 citizens who enjoy country living & small town atmosphere. Okemah derives much of it's financial base from cattle, oil & agriculture.
Long a community of Native American heritage, the town takes its name from the Kickapoo/Shawnee Indian language. 'Okemah' in these native dialects, translates to 'high place' or 'person of high stature' . . . referring to the towns hilltop location.

Okemah Lake is a beautiful 1100 acre impoundment located 8 miles north of town. This lake has plenty of room for the fishermen and the water-skiers alike.
Recreation facilities include: Tent and camper spaces, water hookups, pavilions available for retreats and family or church gatherings, restrooms, a swimming area, a playground for the kids, boat dock and boat ramps. If you like to fish, try it from your boat or from the sixteen miles of shoreline up and down the lake. Okemah Lake is stocked with Large & Small mouth Bass, as well as Channel, Blue & Flathead Catfish. Perch . . . Bluegill & Goggleeye are in abundance. Bring your fishing gear & enjoy some great fishing!




The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival is proud
to have been an Oklahoma Centennial Event

Okemah, Oklahoma

The State of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Tourism