Okemah is the county seat and largest city of Okfuskee County, in east-central Oklahoma, a region steeped in the history of Indian Territory and the state's early settlement. With a population of roughly 3,100, it is a small rural county seat whose cultural reputation far exceeds its size, anchored almost entirely by one fact: Okemah is the birthplace of Woody Guthrie, the folk music legend born there on July 14, 1912. Guthrie's songs, including "This Land Is Your Land," made him one of the most influential figures in American music, and his hometown has embraced that legacy. That legacy is celebrated each year through the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, known as WoodyFest, held annually in mid-July on the weekend closest to Guthrie's birthday. The festival, which began in 1998, draws musicians and visitors from around the country, transforming the quiet county seat into a gathering place for folk and roots music. The event has become Okemah's defining cultural institution and a point of pride for the community. Beyond music, Okemah is shaped by its Native American heritage and its agricultural economy. It is the headquarters of the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, a federally recognized Muscogee (Creek) tribe, reflecting the region's roots in the Creek Nation and Indian Territory. The surrounding countryside supports ranching and farming, and the town serves as the governmental and commercial center for the county. Okemah's character is that of a proud, history-conscious small town that has turned a famous son's legacy into a living cultural tradition, while continuing to serve the everyday needs of its rural county.