The Fried Onion Burger Day Festival closes Choctaw Avenue for a Saturday in early May. The centrepiece is the giant burger, cooked in the original cast-iron skillet over a propane burner — usually carved up and sold in slices for a few dollars apiece. Live music, classic cars, a parade of local floats, and an arts and crafts row fill out the day.
The crowd is small-town and friendly. Festival information is available from the Canadian County Historical Museum, which co-organises the event with the El Reno Main Street program. Sid's and Robert's both stay open and busy throughout.