Septemberfest to offer free family fun Saturday; Gov. Mary Fallin and first gentleman hosting for first time

Allexady Clark, 3, isn't sure what to think as a pony nuzzles her hand during Septemberfest at the governor's mansion in Oklahoma City, OK, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.

Septemberfest to celebrate Oklahoma heritage and culture
For the first time, Gov. Mary Fallin and first gentleman Wade Christensen will host the annual free family festival Saturday at the Governor’s Mansion and Oklahoma History Center.

When Mary Fallin served as lieutenant governor, she often took her children to the Governor’s Mansion to learn about agriculture, do arts and crafts and hear a story.

“Septemberfest is a great opportunity for Oklahomans to come and see the governor’s house, to walk around the grounds of the mansion itself and even come into the house. But it’s also a great opportunity for them to be able to learn about the state of Oklahoma,” Fallin said in a recent phone interview. “It’s a wonderful event with so many diverse glimpses of Oklahoma, from our Western heritage to art to sports and dance from people of all cultures.”

For the first time, Gov. Fallin and her husband, first gentleman Wade Christensen, are hosting Septemberfest, a free fall festival Gov. Frank Keating and first lady Cathy Keating started in 1997. The activity-packed, family-friendly event is organized by the nonprofit Friends of the Mansion and hosted each year by the governor and first family.

“We’re very excited to host Septemberfest. This will be my husband’s first Septemberfest to go to, so he’s really looking forward to it,” said Fallin, who was inaugurated in January.

“It’s a wonderful time for kids,” she added. “When my children were young, they always enjoyed

Mary Fallin took the oath of office as she was sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Taylor to become the 27th governor of Oklahoma during inaugural ceremonies on the south stepds of the state Capitol Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

going over and listening to the governor read a book … and seeing the arts and the crafts. They always enjoyed all the different things that were to do.”