Red Dirt Festival set for this weekend

By Christian Price, News9.com INsite Team

OKEMAH, Okla. - Grape Ranch winery's Red Dirt Festival brings together wine tasting, camping and red dirt music.

Grape Ranch Administrative Manager Tina Massey said the festival grows with each passing year.

"This will be our fourth year. It's based on our Harvest Festival," Massey said. "We do the harvest about this time every year and we do a big celebration. We bring in a lot of red dirt music, which is where we get the name."

The Red Dirt Festival, which is a blend of country and folk music, offers something for everyone in the family.

"It's a very laid back festival. You bring your family, your kids," Massey said. "You can bring your dogs even if you want to; just keep them in the camp ground area. We have a bocce ball game. We even have a little playground area for the kids."

There is a camping area large enough for everybody who would like to camp. Tents to RV's are allowed.

"It's primitive camping which means there's no electrical hookups," Massey said. "We do have a couple of cold showers for anyone who needs to rinse off."

You don't even have to like wine to enjoy this festival.

"There will definitely be wine tasting," Massey said. "We'll also have a variety of beers available as well as sodas and water for those who don't drink."

Multiple food vendors will be at the festival as well.

Grape Ranch wants to provide a place where people can come out and relax without the high cost of a big expensive production.

"We don't really try to focus on the expense of things. It's just more of trying to have a fun place to get away for entertainment," Massey said. "We try to keep it as inexpensive as we can but with a good quality."

The Red Dirt Festival starts this Friday, Aug. 1 and goes through Saturday, Aug. 2. There will be a special Sunday service for those who would like to attend.

Admission for the festival is $10 a car load no matter how many are in the car. Camping starts at $25 for the weekend.

Learn more about the festival at www.reddirtfestival.com .

Learn more about Grape Ranch Winery at www.graperanch.com .