Oklahoma City’s historic Stockyards City will host the annual Stockyards Stampede on Saturday, October 17, 2026, offering an immersive celebration of Oklahoma ranching, Western heritage, family entertainment, and local agriculture. In a comprehensive preview with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Stockyards City Main Street’s Kelli Payne outlined a packed schedule engineered to bring consumers face-to-face with the men and women who produce their food.

Now spanning nearly three decades as an annual fixture, the event serves as an open invitation for families across the metro and state to experience the history and commercial vitality of one of the world's most storied livestock trading districts.

Schedule of Events & Longhorn Processions

• 9:30 AM Arrival Recommended: With free parking available across the entire Stockyards City district, visitors are strongly urged to arrive by 9:30 AM to find parking and claim sidewalk viewing spots along Exchange Avenue before traffic is cleared for the cattle.
• 10:00 AM Opening Longhorn Procession: The day's events begin as the herd of longhorns from Slash O Ranch makes its grand entrance. The herd departs under the landmark Oklahoma National Stockyards arch, parading straight down Exchange Avenue before turning south onto Youngs.
• Day-Long Cattle Display: Following the morning procession, the longhorns will be staged on public display catty-corner from National Saddlery outside the Appaloosa Horse Club. Families can get up close, take photos, and view the iconic animals throughout the day.
• Afternoon Return Procession: Later in the afternoon, the herd will assemble once more to parade back down the street, providing attendees a second opportunity to watch the drive.

Oklahoma’s Best Beef Competition & State Wineries

Conducted in partnership with the Oklahoma CattleWomen and backed by the Oklahoma Beef Council, the 5th annual Oklahoma’s Best Beef Competition provides a direct link between urban shoppers and Oklahoma cattle operations.

• The Consumer Experience: For a $25 entry wristband, attendees can taste sirloin cuts prepared fresh on outdoor grills by top cattle producers representing ranches across Oklahoma. Rather than receiving just one cut, ticket holders are able to sample offerings across all competing teams.
• Producer Interaction: The event creates an open forum for consumers to ask questions about beef production methods, genetics, feeding regimes (such as grass-finished versus grain-finished beef), and how to source whole, half, or retail beef directly from Oklahoma ranches.
• Official Judging & People’s Choice: At 12:00 PM, ranch teams begin cycling through a formal panel of judges to present their steaks for evaluation. Concurrently, every ticket holder can cast a vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award.
• Awards Presentation: Official judging and People's Choice awards are scheduled to be announced between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM, or as long as steak supplies last.
• Oklahoma Wine Tastings: Positioned immediately adjacent to the grilling competition, local Oklahoma wineries will feature booths providing wine samples and pairings to accompany the beef.

Chuck Wagon Camps & Living History

A dedicated chuck wagon camp anchors the living history element of the festival:

• Restored Wagons: Crews operate meticulously restored, historic chuck wagons and cook over open campfires.
• Authentic Living History: The wagon crews dress in full period-accurate attire, offering historical demonstrations of 19th-century trail camp life.
• Traditional Tastings: Attendees can interact with the cooks and sample authentic trail foods prepared on-site, including cobblers, stews, and camp coffee.

Kids Corral & Agricultural Education

The Kids Corral provides an interactive carnival atmosphere packed with activities for youth:

• Hands-On Entertainment: Attractions include face painting, custom balloon artists crafting oversized hats and swords, pony rides, and a petting zoo.
• "Stroked Longhorn" Photo Op: A trained, gentle longhorn steer will be available for children and families to safely pet and take souvenir photos.
• Ag in the Classroom: The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau will host interactive educational booths, giving children hands-on lessons about crop and livestock origins, farm life, and food production.

District Growth, Shopping & Streetscapes

Between events, attendees are encouraged to visit local businesses and browse open-air vendor markets:

• Made in Oklahoma Market: Located along Exchange Avenue just east of Little Joe’s Boots, this market gathers cottage-industry food purveyors, regional artisans, and local businesses under the Made in Oklahoma Coalition.
• District Upgrades: Visitors will notice recent city infrastructure improvements throughout Stockyards City, including revamped sidewalks, enhanced accessibility, and upgraded streetscapes.
• New & Landmark Businesses: In addition to long-standing district retail mainstays, attendees can check out new additions including Old Glory Hat Company, Bunny’s Onion Burgers, the Appaloosa Horse Club, and the national Wagyu headquarters.

The festival wraps up around 3:00 PM on October 17, leaving plenty of time for attendees to shop, explore district dining, or take in an evening of football.

To visit the Stockyards facebook page, click here: