By John Dobberstein, Editor
Organizers of the annual Scotfest event in Broken Arrow said Friday they’ve made the “difficult decision” to cancel this year’s festival at Central Park in the Rose District and make plans for 2026.
Scotfest officials said they had “thorough discussions” with board members, volunteers and the city of Broken Arrow before making the decision to postpone the festival, which would have been in its 45th year this year.
Scotfest returns to the Broken Arrow Events Park next year, when construction of Venu’s 12,500-seat Sunset Amphitheater should be complete.
One factor influencing the decision was two additional overlapping local events in the Rose District that created “significant logistical challenges,” including further limiting parking. Another blow was last year’s theft of the organization’s trailer, filled with key equipment, said Scotfest Executive Director Kris Morrison.
“We are dedicated to prioritizing the long-term success of this 45-year-old event. We value our partnerships and understand the importance of community events. However the challenges this year presented made it necessary to postpone,” Morrison said in a statement.
In place of the usual festival, Scotfest organizers plan to hold several smaller events between now and September 2026 to engage the community and enhance planning for the main event’s return.
“We are excited about the future of Scotfest and are committed to bringing a revitalized experience in 2026, featuring new attractions and top-tier performances,” said Steve Campbell, chairman of the Scotfest board.
Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon said the city understood and supported the decision.
“We applaud the commitment of their time, effort and resources to reimagine this tradition-rich festival when it returns to Broken Arrow’s Events Park in 2026,” he said. “We look forward to working with our partners during this process and are excited to celebrate the new and improved Scotfest with Broken Arrow residents and visitors next year.”
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