This April 2026 special issue of the Oklahoma Gazette celebrates 60 years of the festival by highlighting its evolution, cultural impact, and enduring role in shaping Oklahoma City’s arts scene. Through features, interviews, and retrospectives, the issue reflects on the festival’s growth from a local gathering into a major regional event, emphasizing its support of independent artists, filmmakers, and creatives. It also explores the people behind the festival, key milestones over the decades, and how it continues to foster community, creativity, and economic vitality in OKC’s cultural landscape.