28th Annual
World's Largest
Calf Fry Festival & Cook-off

Saturday, September 8th
American Legion Complex
9:00 a.m. - Gates Open (Free Admission)
11:00 a.m. - "A Taste of the Country" (Tasting Admission $7)

Big Country Weekend is proud to present the self proclaimed World's Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-off complete with cowboy games, great country foods, carnival, fair foods, volleyball tournament, mutton busting, children's games, arts & crafts, and of course (as last counted) 2,000 lbs. of calf fries.

"Besides all things pertaining to hay, cattle, horses and livestock, there were, and are, three big things that Vinita has long been known for: the railroads, cowboys and the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo. Until August of 1979, that is. Then came the Calf Fries.
Every fall for the last 28 years, Vinita, Oklahoma, has held a 'Calf Fry Festival.' A festival, of course, is a sort of a party, and ours most certainly that. The cooking and 'Fry-Off' competition are only part of the fun. Headed by a 'steering' committee, events are planned months in advance. There is always a 'Belle of the Ball.' Entrants 'dress' for the occasion, and decorate their booths in eye-catching regalia. All the entrants are performers as well as 'cookers,' with the judges giving points in each category.
Started in 1979, by rancher and banker, Jim Shelton; veterinarian Dr. John Myers; and insurance man Larry Green, the Calf Fry Festival is now Vinita's claim to national and international fame. It is known and renowned as being the 'Calf Fry Capitol of the World' Our Fame reaches far and wide as each year the Chamber of Commerce tries to recruit celebrity judges and tasters only to be turned down. Celebrity refusals include Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, football star Troy Aikman, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, Newt Gingrich, and Rush Limbaugh. Many did not refuse us personally, but their secretaries or agents refused us on their behalf. This is not necessarily the agent's fault, as they thought our festival must surely be a hoax. Which brings us to what a calf fry is…
A Calf fry (also known as a mountain oyster) is the part removed from a bull calf to make him a steer calf. A cowboy 'delicacy,' which is fried or roasted over the fire used to heat branding irons, when the cowboys "worked" the cattle on the range. Calf fries are a true legacy of the 'Old West.' Which brings us back to the celebrity refusals, many who will eat fish eggs, raw fish, snails, raw oysters, and the like with gusto, but can't get past the idea of eating testicles, or even believe anyone else really does! But it is their loss of a fine time, and lots of good fun!"
-Unknown