Red Autumn Art Festival Returns to Downtown Sallisaw with Expanded Lineup

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - Downtown Sallisaw will come alive with color, music, and creativity during the third annual Red Autumn Art Festival, set for Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1, 2025. The event, organized by Sallisaw Main Street, will feature more than 80 artists from seven states, along with live performances, food trucks, and family-family activities. Admission is free.

The festival opens Friday morning with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. hosted by the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, followed by a public artwork unveiling at 11:45 a.m. in the Pocket Park downtown.

The new multimedia piece, created by the artist known as Ghost, pays tribute to Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, the Depression-era outlaw with deep Sequoyah County roots. The work, which stands on the same site where Floyd once robbed a bank in 1932, explores his complex legacy as both a feared criminal and a folk hero.

Following the unveiling, downtown Sallisaw will transform into a street-side art market featuring visual art, sculpture, and handmade goods from regional creators. Live performances will take place throughout the day at the Stage Park, with appearances by Make It a Double at 11 a.m., Bradley Scrimscher at noon, and Patti Steel at 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the celebration continues with “Art After Hours” at The Venue on Oak Street, an evening event featuring food, drinks, live music, and a silent art auction. The night will also include a Halloween-themed costume contest, where artists and attendees are encouraged to dress as works of art. Tickets for Art After Hours are $35 per person, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and dessert.

The festival continues Saturday with a full day of exhibitions and performances. The street market opens at 9 a.m., followed by two special competitions: the Crossroads Juried Art Exhibition & Competition at The Venue on Oak Street at 10 a.m. and the Future of Now student art competition at the Wheeler Event Center at 11 a.m.

The Stage Park will again host live entertainment throughout the day, featuring Mule Kick Reckoning at 11 a.m., Pakilistli Academia de Danza y Cultura Folklorica at 1 p.m., Ballet Folklórico Sol Azteca at 2 p.m., Danza Nuestra Señora de San Juan at 3 p.m., and Common Roots closing the festival from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

The two-day event concludes at 6 p.m. Saturday, capping a weekend that organizers say celebrates both Sallisaw’s artistic talent and its growing reputation as a hub for regional arts and culture.

Lindsie Dyer, Staff Writer

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