Hollywood Meets Heritage

Star Marshals Lead the Will Rogers Days Parade

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host Will Rogers Days from Wednesday, October 28, through Saturday, October 31. Festivities will include the Will Rogers Medallion Awards, a wreath-laying, a parade, and the Will Rogers Wild West Expo. 

The Will Rogers Medallion Award honors literature reflecting the American West’s depth, diversity, and enduring spirit. As part of Will Rogers Days, the celebration weekend returns to Claremore and Tulsa, featuring award-winning authors and actors. On Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m., the Will Rogers Authors Posse will meet at the Claremore Museum of History. This wine-and-cheese event invites residents and guests to meet selected WRMA 2026 award-winning authors.

Writing the West Conference

The free Craft of Writing the West Conference will be held Friday, October 30, at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. Open to writers of all levels, it supports the preservation and advancement of Western literature. Visit willrogersmedallionaward.net for details.

On Friday evening at Tulsa’s River Spirit Casino, Jennifer Rogers and actors Barry Corbin, Bruce Boxleitner, Rob Word, and Dean Butler will perform five of Will Rogers’ popular radio commentaries before a live audience.

Will Rogers Wild West Expo

Those interested in trick roping, whip cracking, or gun spinning can attend the Will Rogers Wild West Expo in Claremore, October 29-31. Held at the Will Rogers Downs Event Center, participants may register for western arts classes or buy a day pass to watch the action. The weekend concludes with a Wild West Showcase and Dinner, with tickets costing $25. Learn more at www.willrogers.com/expo.

Will Rogers Days Parade

At 10 a.m. Saturday, the Will Rogers Days Parade in Claremore will feature Barry Corbin, Bruce Boxleitner, Rob Word, Dean Butler, and Peter Billingsley as parade marshals. Immediately after the parade, the Indian Women Pocahontas Club will hold its traditional “Hats Off to Will” wreath-laying at the Memorial Museum on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., followed by entertainment and a luncheon. All are invited to attend, and admission is free.

The weekend will wrap up with Halloween trick-or-treating at the Museum from 6-8 p.m.

Will Rogers Days At a Glance 

Wednesday, October 28

6 p.m. Will Rogers Author Posse – Free Admission

• Location: Claremore Museum of History, 121 North Weenonah Ave, Claremore, OK

Thursday, October 29

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Will Rogers Wild West Expo – $5-50 willrogers.com/expo 

• Location: Will Rogers Downs Event Center, 20900 S. 4200 Rd, Claremore, Oklahoma

Friday, October 30

8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Craft of Writing the West Conference – Free admission www.willrogersmedallionaward.net

• Location: River Spirit Casino Resort in The Locker Room,
  8330 Riverside Parkway, Tulsa, OK.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Will Rogers Wild West Expo – $5-50 willrogers.com/expo

• Location: Will Rogers Downs Event Center

7 p.m. An Evening with Will – Free Admission Barry Corbin, Bruce Boxleitner, Rob Word, Dean Butler, and Jennifer Rogers will read five of Will Rogers’ most popular radio commentaries before a live studio audience.

• Location: River Spirit Casino Resort in The Locker Room, 8330 Riverside Parkway, Tulsa, OK

7 p.m. Wild West Showcase Dinner – $10-25

• Location: Will Rogers Memorial Museum, willrogers.com/expo

Saturday, October 31

10 a.m. Will Rogers Days Parade

• Location: Downtown Claremore 

12:30 p.m. Hats Off to Will, Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club Wreath Laying and luncheon – Free admission

• Location: Will Rogers Memorial Museum

6-8 p.m. Halloween at the Museum, Free admission, bring the family to trick-or-treat

• Location: Will Rogers Memorial Museum