The 7th Annual Oklahoma Denim Ball 2026 is Coming up March 27th and 28th At the National in Oklahoma City.
The buzz is building earlier than ever for one of the Oklahoma agriculture industry’s favorite traditions. Farm Director KC Sheperd recently caught up with Charity Martin of OKIE Cotton to discuss the highly anticipated return of the Denim Ball, set for March 27 and 28, 2026.
Now in its seventh year, the event is moving up in the calendar to late March, a change that has already sparked significant interest. According to Martin, inquiries about hotel bookings and registration began rolling in months ago, signaling growing enthusiasm for the annual gathering.
“The buzz about it is definitely getting stronger and stronger each year, which is what we want,” Martin said. “The committee that puts this on… that conversation of ‘how can we make this event bigger and better’ is 365 days long”.
More Than Just a Party: Supporting the Industry
While the weekend is centered on fellowship, the Denim Ball serves a critical purpose: raising funds for the Committee for the Advancement of Cotton, the political action committee (PAC) for the National Cotton Council.
Martin emphasized that the proceeds go directly back to supporting producers through legislative advocacy. “I don’t have to go into the list of what that money does for our industry… from pushing legislation through, supporting those legislators, helping those producers… you can’t be wrong in supporting that cause,” Martin explained.
2026 Weekend Itinerary: New Venues and Watch Parties
This year’s schedule mixes beloved traditions with new twists to accommodate Oklahoma’s unpredictable spring weather.
- Friday, March 27: The festivities kick off at 5:00 p.m. at The Mint for happy hour. Attendees are then encouraged to explore downtown dining options—such as Stock & Bond or Mahogany’s—before regrouping at The Vault (in the archive room) for an evening of drinks and socializing.
- Saturday, March 28 (Daytime): In a shift from previous years, the annual golf tournament has been replaced to avoid potential snow or 90-degree heat. Instead, organizers have rented out the OKC Tap House at the Omni for a relaxed March Madness Watch Party.
- Saturday, March 28 (Evening): The main event begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring dinner, silent and live auctions, and the induction of two new members into the Oklahoma Cotton Hall of Fame.
Sponsors and Registration
The event is made possible by strong industry support, including this year’s Diamond Level sponsors: Bayer, Deltapine, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Syngenta, PCCA, and Western Equipment of Altus.
Registration is currently open for individuals and groups. Martin encourages anyone interested to visit the event website to secure hotel rooms and view the full agenda. As Martin told Sheperd, the invitation list is simple: “If you wear cotton, you’re invited”.
For registration and hotel booking, visit: okiecotton.com.
