The Oka' Institute

10/16/2026

All,

The Field Trip for today for Oka’ Con 26 is cancelled.

Thank you all for attending!

10/15/2026

The Magic Show is still on at 7:30 in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. So bring your family and friends!

Due to heavy rain, Oka' Fest outdoor activities have been canceled.

Send a message to learn more

10/14/2026

Kicking off Oka Con Community Training 🗒️

10/09/2026

🎉 One week away, Oka’ Fest is almost here! 🎉

Join us next Thursday, October 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at ECU Centennial Plaza for Oka’ Fest: Festival on the Plaza, part of the 10th Anniversary of Oka’Con! 🌊🧡

Bring your friends, your family, and your appetite:
🎈 Inflatables
🌽 Co****le
🚚 Food trucks (food available for purchase)
🎪 Activity booths from different organizations
🎸 Live pre-show entertainment by Justin Massey

And the night doesn’t stop there! At 7:30 PM, head over to the Ataloa Theatre at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center for The Revollusionists, five world-class magicians in one mind-blowing, Merlin Award-winning show. The Merlin is the top honor in the magic industry, and Criss Angel calls them “The Future of Magic!” ✨🎩

💥 It’s all FREE and open to everyone. 💥

Mark your calendar, tag a friend, and we’ll see you on the Plaza!

09/16/2026

Oh my, oh my! 👀

The anticipation for Oka’Con ’26 is building, and we’ve got some BIG news that’s going to make you want to mark your calendar!

🎉 OKA FEST IS COMING TO ADA! 🎉

As part of Oka’Con ’26 and our 10th Anniversary Celebration, Oka’ is hosting OKA FEST on October 15th from 5:30–7:30 PM!

If you thought Oklahoma State beating Oregon was a thrill, just wait until you see what OKA FEST has in store. 👀

We’re bringing an evening packed with:

🎪 Inflatables
🌽 Co****le & Yard Games
🎶 Live Entertainment
🚚 Food Trucks
✨ And a special performance by The Revollusionists!

Coming all the way from Branson, Missouri, The Revollusionists will bring an award-winning performance featuring incredible tricks, illusions, and magic like you’ve never seen before!

And the best part?

IT’S COMPLETELY FREE! 🎉

That’s right—admission to OKA FEST is FREE for everyone!

Food will be available for purchase, so come hungry, support our local food trucks, bring your friends and family, and get ready for a night of fun as we celebrate 10 years of Oka’!

📅 October 15, 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 East Central University Centennial Plaza

We’ll see you there! 💧🎉

09/02/2026

🏈 College Football is back—and we’re excited!

But you know what’s even more exciting?

🎉 Oka’Con 2026! 🎉

The anticipation is building, and we’re celebrating 10 years of The Oka’ Institute with our biggest Oka’Con yet!

More events. More conversations. More interactive and engaging field trips. More opportunities to connect. And, of course, a whole lot of fun!

Want to see what we have in store? 👀

👉 Registration is FREE!
Register today at https://www.okainstitute.org/
Meal tickets are available for purchase with registration.

📅 DAY ONE

Community Education & Economic Development Program
In partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Whether you’re a community leader, elected official, economic development professional, organization, or simply someone who wants to learn more about building stronger communities—you’re invited!

🌎 DAYS TWO & THREE

Get ready for special presentations, engaging conversations, field trips, networking opportunities, and plenty of space to connect with people working to build a stronger future for Oklahoma.

And you don’t have to be a community leader or policymaker to attend.

Oka’Con is for everyone.

Community leaders. Legislators. Organizations. Students. Professionals. Curious minds. And anyone who cares about Oklahoma, its communities, and its future.

Come celebrate 10 years of The Oka’ Institute with us.

🏈 College football has its season.
💧 We have Oka’Con.

Will we see you there?

👉 Register FREE at https://www.okainstitute.org/

08/18/2026

Save the Date!

Oka’Con 2026 is just around the corner!

As we prepare to celebrate 10 years of The Oka’ Institute, our team would be honored to have our communities, partners, colleagues, friends, and anyone interested join us for this special occasion.

Over the past decade, our work has been strengthened by the partnerships we have built, the collaboration we have shared, and a collective commitment to water, thriving communities, and a more sustainable future.

This milestone would not be possible without the people and communities who have walked alongside us throughout the years. We sincerely hope you will join us as we celebrate 10 years of The Oka’ Institute—and look ahead to the work still to come.

You can scan the QR code on the attached flyer to register, or register directly through our website: https://www.okainstitute.org/

More information about Oka’Con 2026 will be coming soon!

We look forward to celebrating with you! 💧

08/12/2026

07/21/2026

On Saturday, The Oka’ Institute was proud to participate in Gathering Place’s Route 66 Festival by hosting the "Mother Road Underground" activity table!

Water has always been essential to the communities along Route 66. While rivers and streams are easy to see, the groundwater beneath our feet has quietly sustained generations by providing reliable water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and community growth.

Festival attendees explored the connection between geology and water through interactive, hands-on activities, including:
💧 Aquifer in a Cup
🪨 Mineral, rock, and fossil dig
🌎 A demonstration showing how water moves through different geologic materials

It was a fantastic day connecting with the Tulsa community, celebrating the legacy of Route 66, and sharing the important role groundwater plays in our everyday lives. We were also excited to highlight the work of The Oka’ Institute and East Central University’s Water Resources Policy and Management Master of Science program.

07/15/2026

Leadership extends beyond the workplace, and we're proud to see two members of the Oka' Institute team serving our community in new ways.

Congratulations to Genan Westmoland, who is serving as President of the Lions Club of Ada, Oklahoma, and Mason Martinez, who is serving as President of the Ada Sunrise Rotary.

Their commitment to service, collaboration, and community leadership reflects the values we strive to uphold every day at the Oka' Institute. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make throughout the coming year.

Congratulations, Genan and Mason! 👏