Apr. 15—After the COVID-19 pandemic spoiled much of the fun in 2020, springtime festivals are again popping up like the redbuds and dogwoods throughout Oklahoma this year.

As usual, some of the state’s quirkiest annual events blossom in April, from an Oklahoma City arts showcase starring a 5-ton steamroller to a veritable nest of small-town rattlesnake-wrangling events.

Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3 in downtown OKC’s Deep Deuce, hosts this annual outdoor arts showcase, which includes artist demonstrations, live music, food trucks, children’s activities, pop-up shops and more.

But the highlight of Saturday’s event will involve artists inking large-scale carved woodblocks and creating prints with a 5-ton steamroller. The printed woodblocks will be displayed during the festival and available for sale. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The fourth annual festival will be outside on NE 3 so people can safely spread out.

Information: www.1ne3.org. Take in the “shear” spectacle of sheep getting their dramatic haircuts during the annual open house at Shepherd’s Cross sheep farm, 16792 East 450 Road. Spinning, weaving, hand dying, felting, knitting and more will be demonstrated as the wool is taken from “sheep to shawl.” Children’s activities, short classes and more are part of the event, where admission is free but the suggested donation is $5 per person.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a sheep shorn every 30 minutes each day. The family-friendly event will adhere to COVID-19 restrictions like arranging attendees in small groups and asking them to wear masks indoors.

Information: www.shepherdscross.com and www.facebook.com/ShepherdsCross.

The venerable “testicle festival” will serve up a country music menu including the Read Southall Band, Parker McCollum, Riley Green and more.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the music starts at 6 p.m. April 29-May 1 at Stillwater’s iconic venue the Tumbleweed Dance Hall, at Lakeview and Country Club roads.

Information and tickets: calffry.com and www.facebook.com/CalfFry.

Oklahoma’s longest running film festival isn’t centered in the Oklahoma City or Tulsa urban cores but in Muskogee, where the event is marking its 22nd year.

Set for Thursday through May 2, the “no frills” fest annually includes film screenings, panels, screenplay readings, live music and more. This year’s festival will mix up in-person events with COVID-19 protocols and virtual offerings. As usual, the historic Roxy Theater, 220 W Okmulgee Ave., will be the festival’s main venue.

Information: www.barebonesfilmfestival.org.

Folks with ophidiophobia — the irrational fear of snakes — will likely be rattled to know that Oklahoma is home to multiple annual rattlesnake festivals.

Although the Apache Rattlesnake Festival is wrapping up April 18, folks who are charmed by serpents will be pleased to know that the Sooner State still has not one but two long-running, smalltown rattlesnake festivals coming up later this month.

The 82nd Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup, the state’s oldest celebration of the iconic reptiles, and the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby, typically Oklahoma’s largest, are both set for Friday, Saturday and April 25.

Information: www.okeenesnakehunt.com and www.facebook.com/shortgrassrattlesnakeassociation.

The United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma this year will be moving its popular annual Scottish cultural festival to a new venue and time of year, with a new name.

Now known as the Oklahoma Highland Gathering, the event is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 at Midwest City’s Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave.

The United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma previously organized the Iron Thistle Scottish Festival, a long-running springtime event at Yukon’s Mollie Spencer Farm. The organization announced last week that it is no longer associated with the previous event name, the Iron Thistle Scottish Festival, its branding or its organizers.

The Oklahoma Highland Gathering will be open to the public with free admission. The slate of activities will be released closer to the festival’s fall dates.

For more information, go to unitedscotsok.com.