OKLAHOMA CITY — OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is planning an outdoor Father's Day celebration that combines barbecue, bourbon, live entertainment and family activities along the resort's beach area.

The Father's Day BBQ Fest is scheduled for June 21 with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Resort officials say the event is designed to give families an alternative to the traditional backyard cookout while still embracing many of the traditions associated with Father's Day.

"We have a barbecue festival, which will be outdoors, unlike anything we have in our city, with an elevated outdoor barbecue experience," said Ashley Glass, OKANA's senior marketing and communications manager. "It's going to be fun for the entire family, but something really unique for dads to be able to take part in."

The event will feature barbecue prepared by Executive Chef Wyatt Rogers, along with bourbon tastings from Horse Soldier Bourbon, cigar-rolling demonstrations, hat shaping by Ol’ Glory Hat Company and live music. Children's activities will include crafts and dedicated buffet options.

Rogers said the menu was designed around foods many Oklahomans already associate with Father's Day gatherings, while adding a few creative twists.

"Given the fact that 90 percent of Oklahomans probably spent their Father's Day having a cookout, there's an extended amount of pressure and expectation going into this," Rogers said.

Menu items will include brisket, grilled corn, roasted chicken, marinated flank steak, grilled portobello steaks and desserts created by the resort's pastry team. Families will also have access to a build-your-own s'mores station.

Rogers described the approach as "elevated comfort," focusing on familiar flavors rather than fine-dining presentations.

"I don't need to put caviar on everything," Rogers said. "I prefer down-home southern cooking."

A live cooking component will allow guests to watch food being grilled and prepared throughout the event.

"We'll have a grill out there and be grilling live as we're presenting everything," Rogers said. "You're going to get to watch us literally go from raw to cooked to presentation."

Horse Soldier Bourbon representatives will be on-site throughout Father's Day weekend, offering samples and specialty cocktails made with the veteran-owned bourbon brand.

Guests will also have an opportunity to visit with representatives from Ol’ Glory Hat Company, a Stockyards City-based business that will offer hat shaping and a straw cowboy hat giveaway.

Glass said the barbecue event will be held adjacent to the resort's beach area, and families can purchase water park day passes to extend their stay.

"If it were me, I would come to the 11 or 1 p.m. seating and then I would get myself a day pass and hang out on the beach the rest of the day with the family," Glass said.

Rogers said one misconception about the resort is that it caters only to overnight guests.

"I wish that we could have more of an outreach to the locals because I do think people think it's a little bit centric to guests," Rogers said. "That's not the case."

He pointed to the resort's restaurants and entertainment district as amenities intended for both visitors and Oklahoma City residents.

Glass said guests can also take advantage of a 20% discount on two- or three-night stays during Father's Day weekend. In addition, visitors can pair the celebration with activities at the nearby First Americans Museum, which is hosting summer solstice events the same day.

Reservations and event tickets are available through the resort's website.

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