Labor Day Weekend 2026 at Grand Lake!

Goooood Morning!

It's Labor Day Weekend at Grand Lake — the last big holiday blowout of the summer, and Mother Nature is sending summer out with a bang. We're looking at wall-to-wall sunshine and highs in the upper 90s (flirting with triple digits) all weekend long, with lows around 74. There's a Heat Advisory out, so hydrate, sunscreen up, and get on the water where you belong.

It's a stacked one, too — a paddle race below the dam, professional bull riding at Wolf Creek Park, fiddle music all over Grove, a fish fry for a great cause, and live music at just about every venue on the lake. It's also last call at a few of our favorite seasonal spots (more on that below).

Let's get to it! Here is what you need to know for THIS Weekend at Grand Lake:

Lake Level — The lake level as of Thursday morning is 742.79' with minimal generation at the dam. Lake temps are still plenty warm… upper 80s.

🍷 First Friday Wine Share - Friday at 6 pm, head to the One Eyed Monkey at the entrance to Monkey Island for this month’s First Friday Wine Share. As always, bring your own glass, your favorite bottle, and maybe an appetizer to share. All are welcome!

🛶 Grand River Dam Paddle - The 4th annual GRDP takes over the gorgeous stretch of the Grand River below the Pensacola Dam at Cherokee State Park in Langley (and yes, Grand Lake Living is a proud sponsor!). Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards — all skill levels and all paddle craft welcome, with a Kids 1K, a 5K, and an 11.5-mile long course. All paddlers need to be at the 8:00 AM safety meeting near the pavilion, and life jackets are required. Register at PaddleGuru.

🎻 Jana Jae Fiddle Camp - Three days of fiddle music, instruction, and celebration in Grove as part of the 2026 Grand Lake Summer Music Festival Series. Evening events are at Snider's Camp with daytime events at Foundation Free Will Baptist Church. Whether you play or just love great roots music, this one's a treat. More info at grandlakefestivals.com or (918) 786-8896.

🚒 Ketchum Fire Department Fish Fry & Auction - All-you-can-eat fried fish, hush puppies, fries, and desserts for just $10, with every dime benefiting the Ketchum Fire Department. Activities and auctions run 10–2 with food served 11–1 at 210 Ketchum Ave. There's a live auction at 1:00, a silent auction, a gun raffle, plus a bounce house, dunk tank, and cornhole for the kids.

🤠 Bullfest at the Lake - Professional bull riding comes to Wolf Creek Park in Grove Saturday night! Gates open at 5:30, live music kicks off at 6:30, and the bulls buck at 7:30. Add in food trucks and you've got a family-friendly end-of-summer bash, perfect after a day on the water! Tickets at williamlaneproductionsllc.ticketspice.com/bullfestatthelake.

🍹 Last Call for Summer - A few seasonal favorites are wrapping up this weekend: Sunday is the final day of the 2026 season at Eddy's Lakeside Bar, and Monday is the last day of the season at Sharky's at Hammerhead. Get those last patio visits in! Oh… and Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove is permanently closed, BUT… something new to Grove is already planned for that spot. Stay tuned.

🚤 Boat Safe This Weekend - The GRDA Police have some Labor Day reminders for everyone hitting the water: wear a life jacket, never drink and boat, keep a good lookout, shut engines off when people are in the water near your boat, and check the weather before heading out. Head on a swivel, people!

Farmers Markets - The Grove Farmers Market happens Saturday morning from 8 to 1 on the Downtown Square. And, the Saturday Morning Market runs from 9 to Noon (or 1-ish), right next to Reasor’s in Langley.

Library - HERE is the calendar for the always-busy Grove Public Library.

The Latest From The Grand Lake Bum

Special Thanks To Just Some of our Sponsors - but be sure to check out the GrandLakeLiving.com website to find ALL of the businesses that make this newsletter possible.

• The Grand Lake area’s top mobile detailer? Total Detailing

• Your local outdoor surface cleaning experts? J-K Services.

• You’ll find relaxation, recreation, and resort-style living at Monkey Island RV & Cabin Resort.

• Tree issues? Give Kelley’s Tree Service a call.

• Boat Floater is Oklahoma’s boat lift specialist.

• Rocks & Docks Adventure Rentals has the toys you need for your Grand Lake stay.

• Check out the new Long’s Resort website. And book your stay today!

• Lake life is easier with BranumUP Automatic Boat Covers.

• Goldner Dock is your go-to everything dock company at Grand Lake.

• Grand Lake Boat Sales/Hi Lift Marina has an updated Ship Store, AND 24-hour gas docks. Nice!

• Ready to build your dream Grand Lake home? Kennedy Homes is ready to help.

• Accident? Ramos Law can help.

• Shops of Treasures is Northeast Oklahoma and Grand Lake’s guide to antique, thrift, and gift shops. Check it out!

🎸 Live Music & Entertainment This Weekend

Thursday

• Erin Fitzgibbon at Whitecap – 5:30

• Karaoke w/Tim at Doc's (Shangri-La) – 6–9

• Jimmy Lee & COBE at Juan Montez – 6

• Travis Kidd at Mooney's – 7–10

• Magen Faulconer at South 125 – 8

• South of Vertical at Sharky's – 8

• Michael Thompson at Big Shots – 9–12

Friday

• Joseph Callery at Whitecap – 6–10

• Robby VanVekoven Duo at Blind Swine on Duck Creek – 6–10

• Chris Bassett and Company at Scissortail Marina – 7–10

• Scott Musick at Doc's Patio (Shangri-La) – 7–10

• Autumn Ragland at Ugly's – 7:30

• Rockfisch at Sharky's – 8

• Erin Fitzgibbon at South 125 – 8–11

• The Hydramatics at Mooney's – 8–11

• Paralandra at Cherokee Casino Grove – 8

• Jeff Tatum and the Palomino Moon Band at Grand Lake Casino – 8

• Big Cheese at Juan Montez – 8

• Classic Rock w/DJ at Eddy's (Shangri-La) – 8:30–11

• Ozark Storm Alpha at Alpha Bar – 9

• Karaoke w/Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar – 9–1am

• DJ Phluf White Out Party at Big Shots – 9–12

Saturday

• Christine Jude & Travis Linn at Blind Swine on Duck Creek – 6–10

• Ryan Graham at Whitecap – 6–10

• Johnny Dale Roberts at Roadhog – 6

• Dustin Treiber at The Quarterdeck – 6–9

• Motown & Disco DJ at Doc's Patio (Shangri-La) – 7–9

• White Oak Rebellion at Scissortail Marina – 7–10

• Whiskey Poet Society at Ugly's – 7:30

• Michelle Warren & Soupbone at Mooney's – 8

• Lady Erica at Juan Montez – 8

• Empire Band at Sharky's – 8–12

• Ty Ellis & The Flatliners at Cherokee Casino Grove – 8

• Diversity at Grand Lake Casino – 8

• Jake Marlin at Pickles – 9

• Kevin Price at Eddy's (Shangri-La) – 9–12

• DJ Phluf Neon/Glow Night at Big Shots – 9–12

• Zimmero at The Monkey Bar – 9–12

Sunday

• Magen Faulconer at The Quarterdeck – Noon!

• John Russell & Cody Clinton at Mooney's – 4

• Zene Smith at Blind Swine on Duck Creek – 6

• Magic J Entertainment at Cherokee Casino Grove – 6

• Erin Fitzgibbon Band at Whitecap – 6

• Whiskey Poet Society at Crace Shores by Red Arrow – 7

• Honky Tonk Hwy Band at Scissortail – 7–10

• Jason Wood & The Hwy 69ers at Ugly's – 7:30

• New Dynasty at Juan Montez – 8

• Brent Giddens and the Mechanics at Sharky's – 8

• DJ 90s & 2000s Hits at Eddy's (Shangri-La) – 8:30–11

• Music Bingo at The Anchor (Shangri-La) – 9

• DJ Phluf Black Out Party at Big Shots – 9

Monday (Labor Day!)

• Kennedy Fine at Ugly's – 1

• The Smith Brothers at Mooney's – 2

• Magen Faulconer at South 125 – 7

If I don't know about it, I can't include it here. So if you know about it… LET ME KNOW!

Meanwhile, on the Grand Lake Living website:

These emails aren’t possible without the ongoing support of many great Grand Lake area businesses. Please visit the website and support the businesses that you see featured. I appreciate all of you!

• Need a Place to Stay at the lake?

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• Monkey Island truly is Grand Lake’s playground

• Don’t forget about the Gateway to Grand Lake: Grove!

• South Grand Lake for that easy livin’…

• Always on the lookout for reliable Grand Lake contractors