With the arrival of fall comes a chill in the air, colorful foliage and football—all favorites of my family. Attending any one of the many local festivals scheduled this time of year is another. Besides the unique food, these festivals are family-friendly outreach events that educate and support the communities they serve. Following are a few diverse options that our family always enjoy.

Oklahoma Czech Festival
Being of Czech heritage myself, I’ve always been partial to this annual event. Dubbed “The Czech Capitol of Oklahoma” by Governor Dewey Bartlett in 1968, Yukon has hosted this event since 1966. The Czech Festival (October 3) gives attendees a glimpse into the colorful Czech culture. One of Oklahoma’s largest parades begins at 10am, and events and activities are held throughout the day. You can try your hand (or feet) at a polka or waltz played by local bands, watch cultural dancers in traditional dress, view and purchase Czech-crafted arts and crafts, tour the Hot Rod and Antique Car Show, sip on some home-made root beer, taste the popular homemade kolaches (a Czech pastry) or klobasy (sausage sandwiches). The carnival atmosphere includes rides, a child’s petting zoo, pony rides, duck pond and spin art.

St. George Greek Festival

Originating as a bake sale to introduce the community to Greek culture and faith in the church’s old location in downtown Oklahoma City, the St. George Greek Festival (October 23-25) has been held in its current location in NW OKC since 1984. According to festival chairman, Chris Gianos, the feel and size of the festival has changed over the years, but the primary focus continues. With that comes lots of fun and traditional, homemade Greek food. Many food booths include a-la-carte items including baklava, Greek salad and calamari. Full plate dinners include a main entrée choice of one-half Greek-seasoned chicken or souvlakia (shish ke bab), pasticcio (a Greek lasagna), Greek-style rice/green beans, spanakopita (spinach/cheese pie), roll and a drink. Music by Mediterranean Soul, a San-Francisco-based band, and cultural dancers will provide musical entertainment throughout the festival. Kids can enjoy clowns, balloon artists and magicians. Tours of the church are also available. According to Gianos, one new activity is a 5K run/walk on Saturday morning.

A major portion of proceeds will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA, an organization that benefits abused or neglected children.

St. Elijah Food Festival
Ladies of the church started this homemade food festival forty years ago at its original downtown Oklahoma City location with a very small attendance. This festival (November 6-7) has continually grown; since moving to their new location ten years ago, attendance is estimated to be up to 10,000 people each year, according to Craig Abraham, festival chairperson. The hospitable nature of the church and the food, especially the homemade Talami bread, is what keeps bringing people back, according to Abraham. Lines form long before opening so that people can buy the locally famous fresh-baked bread.

But all of the food is worth the trip (I can personally attest to this). Besides the ready-to-eat cuisine prepared on site, the festival’s Culinary Cupboard is filled with freshly baked and frozen goods for purchase. Parishioners begin weeks in advance cooking up the generations-old recipes including cabbage rolls, baked kibbi (a seasoned meat), sfeeha (meat pies), labana (yogurt cheese), Ruzz and Yahknee (Lebanese rice pilaf), cookies, cakes, pies and more for community purchase. A majority of the proceeds support the church’s St. Barnabas outreach ministry which funds a number of charitable organizations.

Any of these fall festivals are a great excuse to take a cooking break! So, treat your family and your taste buds by going to a local festival. The added bonus? You’ll be supporting the community, too!

• Oklahoma Czech Festival
Saturday, October 3; 8am-5pm
25 N 5th St, Yukon
405-354-7573, OklahomaCzechFestival.com

• St. George Greek Festival
Friday-Sunday, October 23-25; Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-5pm
2101 NW 145th, OKC
405-751-1885, SaintGeorgeOKC.com
Admission $3; 5K registration includes admission fee

• St. Elijah Food Festival
Friday-Saturday, November 6-7; 10am-8pm
15000 N May, OKC
405-755-7804, StElijahOKC.com

Karen Mitchell, a lifelong resident of the Oklahoma City metro area, lives in Edmond with her husband, Mark, teenage son, Ryan, and one spoiled Welsh Corgi. Daughter, Megan, attends OSU in Stillwater.