Bluegrass and BBQ and Wrestling for Heroes coming soon to Pryor, Oklahoma
With autumn settling over northeast Oklahoma, downtown Pryor is readying for a weekend of banjo strums and smoky brisket aromas. The second annual Bluegrass & BBQ Festival, slated for October 17-18, will draw crowds with its stellar bluegrass lineup, a competitive barbecue cook-off, and a dazzling display of classic cars—all free and open to families.
“Bluegrass is a very family friendly genre,” Pryor Mayor Zac Doyle told Newstalk KZRG. “It’s got kind of a weird following. You don’t hear a lot about it. It’s not mainstream media. There’s not a lot of radio stations out there doing bluegrass top 10 hits. Billboards doesn’t really cover it, but what we find is that when you get down into the grassroots of a certain group of people that cherish this clean music that’s fun, family friendly, that can fill a venue, no problems. And, and they love it. … We had over 10,000 people for our first year and we’re doing it again. We had so much fun.”
The festival kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. at 12 North Rowe Street, with music starting early and running through Saturday. The lineup features a range of bluegrass acts that span traditional and modern sounds. The Rick Faris Band opens Saturday with classic bluegrass and heartfelt ballads. The Malpass Brothers follow with their tight harmonies and fiddle-driven sets. Springstreet Bluegrass adds a fresh, progressive edge, while Emily Rhyne delivers powerful vocals blending old and new. The Cox Family, Grammy winners with deep gospel roots, will anchor the afternoon, and Chuck Mead and the Stalwarts close with a bluegrass-honky-tonk fusion, joined by the eclectic One Eyed for a lively finale.
Beyond the music, the festival’s barbecue competition takes center stage, with local pitmasters battling for top honors in brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. Attendees can sample entries, vote in the people’s choice award, and pair their bites with local brews or sweet tea. Food trucks and vendors will offer sides like cornbread and coleslaw to round out the feast.
Car enthusiasts will find plenty to admire at the Saturday morning classic car show, where vintage hot rods and muscle cars will line downtown streets. Kids’ activities, artisan booths, and shaded seating areas ensure the event appeals to all ages.
“It’s a community event,” Doyle said. “One of the things that a lot of people outside of the state of Oklahoma don’t realize is municipalities are funded solely by sales tax. There’s no property tax or anything like that for the municipalities. And so we have to create ways to generate revenues. So, last year, we were approached to do a bluegrass festival, and we thought, you know, let’s give it a try. We found out we had three months to put it together. We put it together, and it was a hundred percent win. Our businesses had the best day that they had ever had … It was just altogether a good vibe, and it was a vibe that, as the Mayor of Pryor, I wanted to bring it back.
WRESTLING FOR HEROES
Pryor is also holding a special event this November. Wrestling fans across the four-state area are gearing up for a high-flying weekend as the Wrestling for Heroes BIG Wrestling Convention rolls into the Mayes County Event Center this November.
Organized by Oklahoma Freedom Flight and Gimmicked Promotions, the three-day extravaganza kicks off Friday, November 14, at 2 p.m. and wraps up Sunday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. each day, promising non-stop action at the venue located at 2200 Northeast 1st Street in Pryor.
Attendees can expect a packed lineup of live pro wrestling matches, interactive meet-and-greets with wrestling legends, and vendor booths loaded with memorabilia. Highlighting the guest roster is Lisa Marie Varon, known to fans as WWE’s Victoria or TNA’s Tara, who will appear from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Adding to the star power, WCW and AEW icon Sting has confirmed his presence on Saturday, November 15, as part of his ongoing 2025 farewell tour, complete with his signature face paint, trench coat, and baseball bat for one last round of fan interactions.
“This year we’re doing something a little different,” Doyle said. “We’re going bigger. We’re doing a wrestling convention. We’re bringing in some big names. These big names will bring a big crowd. And so what we’re looking to do is have a three-day convention. November 14th, 15th and 16th. And that’s going to be names like we’ve got the Godfather, we’ve got Victoria, we’ve got Jacqueline, Chavo Guerrero are coming. We’ve got Kevin Nash and of course our headliner, our big name is Sting. … He is the Icon. This will be one of the last times that he is in his traditional what we call war paint.”
The event honors military heroes through its Wrestling for Heroes theme. Tickets are required for entry and available now via Eventbrite, with general admission options to fit various budgets.
The event is a celebration of grit, heart, and the heroes who inspire us all.