World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off Set for Saturday

Come taste some of the best calf fries around.

On Saturday, June 3, cooking teams will compete to be named the “Best of the Year” at the 38th annual World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off.

Held at the Craig County Fairgrounds, 915 E. Apperson Road, in Vinita, the festival and cook-off runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the calf fry cook-off, the festival will include kids’ games, vendor booths, a talent contest and live entertainment.

As the cooking teams begin preparing multiple dishes for competition, the fun gets under way at 10 a.m. with a variety of kids’ games, including a stick horse race and turtle race. Children can also compete in a hula hoop contest and for the best decorated turtle.

In addition to games, there will be a number of other activities for children to enjoy during the 38th annual World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off, including a bounce house and pony rides.

Safari Joe’s Reptile World will host a petting zoo and OakRidge Amusements will bring a Power Bounce and 24-foot-high rock climbing wall. The Power Bounce features two 24-foot bungee power bongo bouncers.

Also at 10 a.m., vendor booths will open, offering festival-goers a wide array of arts and crafts displays to browse and shop.

There will also be a performance by the Gym Dandies.

At 11 a.m., the gates will open for the calf fry cook-off and the tasting will begin.

Visitors who wish to taste the calf fries can either purchase a tasting kit or buy a calf fry dinner. The tasting kits are $10 per person and can be purchased at the entry booth.

Calf fries will be served until they are gone, so organizers suggest you come early.

In addition to the calf fry tasting, there will be a number of food booth vendors on hand offering other tasty delights.

Cook-off trophy and awards will be presented at 3:30 p.m.

Judy Howard’s Buckboard Quilts will be one of the vendors who will be on hand Saturday at the Craig County Fairgrounds. Buckboard Quilts will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., selling quilts and other collectibles, such as kitchen collectibles, as well as signed copies of Howard’s six latest books.

Proceeds from all of Buckboard Quilts’ sales during the World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off will be given directly to Vinita’s Salvation Army, Howard said.

Howard has owned and operated Buckboard Quilts since 1976, and offers 150 quality antique quilts and textiles to choose from.

In addition to the various priceless heirlooms available, Howard will also be conducting an “Antique Quilt Bed Turning,” which “follows the tradition of Martha Washington and our Oklahoma pioneers who stacked their finest quilts flat on the guest bed for all to admire.”

From calf fries and cook-offs to kids’ games and quilts, the Craig County Fairgrounds will be serving up some tasty food and good fun Saturday.

For more information on the 38th annual World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off, visit the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or www.vinita.com.