Northeastern Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, in towns 5000 to 50,000 that are not suburbs of larger cities, expect three to ten weekend festivals, rallies, car shows fairs, stock auctions, competitive events like rodeos, between mid-May and the end of September. It is just something that follows from these places having been the focus of rural activity for the past 100 years.
Big cities there will probably be several things going on each weekend, but you will not necessarily notice them because usually each involves a small number of people relative to the population. I find when traveling I can always find something going on if I look for it.
Sometimes in the smaller cities an event is big enough that I can't find a place to stay because I didn't know to reserve half a year ahead.
Coming up in Winfield, Kansas September 17-21 will be the Walnut Valley Festival, a major acoustic music gathering and a competitive Bluegrass event of national importance. This one kind of ends the season for Winfield, which had events in spring and mid-summer, but not done for the year because they also have a Christmas festival.
More typical than unusual. My own city of 35,000 has a Mozart Festival, at least two car club gatherings, a sport aviation fly-in (used to have two), a music/arts/crafts/food fair, a rodeo, at least three occasions for parades, and a major quilt show. If looking for more the county fair is just six miles up the road and that little town has a Tom Mix festival, a car club event, and another historical cowboy event. Outside of town, a mountain man gathering, and an event celebrating the synergies of oil barons, horse thieves, bank robbers and other outlaws.
Coffeyville, Kansas celebrates the shootout that ended the career of the Dalton gang, and hosts a week-long rodeo and livestock event, with smaller things going on through the year.
Hannibal, Missouri, as a tourist destination, almost always has something going on late spring through early fall, particularly concerts in the streets. Visited Mason City, Iowa only once, and stumbled onto a Bluegrass concert in the town square.
Middle America is always celebrating something. Look for it, you'll find it.
What's worth seeing depends on your interests. If you are into old car shows, you may not find quilt shows and rodeos worth your time. I don't bother to go to marathons and other running events. We have several runs or run/walks per year, most for charities, and what it means to me is that I can't get from my house to town because they like to block off the streets in my near downtown neighborhood.
