ENID, OK - The 21st annual A Fling at the Springs music festival takes place Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Government Springs Park in Enid, Oklahoma. Festivities begin at 2:00 p.m. and will run throughout the day until approximately 10:00 p.m. The family friendly event is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and are allowed to bring coolers. Beer and wine, with the exception of glass containers, are allowed.
"This year we're doing something a little different than we have in the past," said Tammy Wilson, one of the Fling coordinators. "Normally, we have a half day of acoustic solos and duo artists. This year it's all bands all day, so it should be high energy right out of the gate. We're really looking forward to a day full of incredible music. Every performer we have coming is going to be a great time."
The day will start at 2:00 p.m. with local band, Alltown. Diablo Sammich, Knight Ryder, and Skeleton Station will fill the afternoon slots, with Oklahoma legends, The Red Dirt Rangers, taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. and the headliner, Kin Faux, finishing out the night with a bang at 8:30 p.m.
This is the 21st year for the festival. It was started by local musician, Sylvan Reynolds, in 2003. In the early days of the festival, Reynolds partnered with long time Enid resident, Jerry Allen, to raise funds to repair the springs at the park. The festival proved to be popular and was continued as an annual event and has had several notable musicians grace its stage over the last twenty years. Allen emceed the event for several years and passed away in 2023. A Fling at the Springs is put on by a local board composed of five members that start in the late spring to plan the fall event - Tammy Wilson, Michael Dotson, Shawn Mahaffey, Travis Layton, and Larry Lewis. "A lot of time and effort goes into planning a day full of live music," said Travis Layton, who also fills the stage manager role for the event, "I don't think people realize the work it takes and we love that we're able to offer this event to the public for free every year."
Another lifelong Enid resident and musician, David McCoy, passed away in 2016 and a memorial scholarship has been set up in his name and is facilitated by the Fling board. "Last year was the first year we presented the scholarship and we purchased a starter guitar and a year of lessons for a student," said Michael Doton, Fling board member and coordinator. "We've checked on his progress throughout the year and are happy to report he is progressing nicely."
Larry Lewis, another board member, stated, "The scholarship fund is growing and we will be adding a scholarship for a college student that wants to pursue performing arts in the future."
Shawn Mahaffey is not only a member of the board, but he is also the drummer for Skeleton Station. "We are super excited to be playing the Fling this year alongside some phenomenal musicians. The talent that will be in Enid on Saturday is just incredible. You definitely do not want to miss it. We have great bands every year, but this year we're really stepping it up a notch with Kin Faux as the headliner," Mahaffey said.
"I agree," said Wilson."Kin Faux has really skyrocketed this last year in the music scene and we are lucky we were able to get them to come to Enid."
Kin Faux, based in Texas, is nominated for several Texas Country Music Awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Band of the Year, and Country Album of the Year, with band members up for Drummer of the Year, Fiddler of the Year, and Guitarist of the Year. "Don't let the "country" label fool you," Mahaffey said. "They will absolutely rock your world."
"There will be a food truck on the premises so bring your cooler and plan to stay all day," said Dotson.
This year's lineup features:
AllTown
Diablo Sammich
Knight Ryder
Skeleton Station
Red Dirt Rangers
Kin Faux
