This Small Town Is Oklahoma’s Own Stars Hollow

Like most millennials, I celebrate fall with an annual rewatch of "Gilmore Girls." Something just feels right about diving into Lorelai and Rory's world as the leaves begin to turn. But as I watch the girls mingle with their neighbors and attend the many Stars Hollow events, I'm reminded of my own hometown in Oklahoma, and how, in its own way, is a real-life Stars Hollow.

I grew up in Frederick, Oklahoma, which is the county seat of Tillman County. It's home to the Frederick Bombers, the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team and was the hometown of the famous Abernathy Brothers. Like Stars Hollow, Frederick played many roles in history, and the townsfolk are proud of it.

Even though Stars Hollow is fictional, it's inspired by real small towns in Connecticut, specifically Washington Depot. And despite Oklahoma not being on the East Coast, there are still several small town charms, like the people and local events, that take place in Stars Hollow that anyone who come from a small town can relate to.

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Frederick hosts several annual events dedicated to the town's history, local art and more.

Mirroring Stars Hollow, Frederick has many annual events that can appear quirky to outsiders. Like every spring, the Frederick Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual fundraiser, the Frederick Fantastic Oyster Fry, which serves up fresh, fried oysters from Port Lavaca, Texas.

Other notable events include the Tillman County Fair at the end of the summer. Girls On Main, a shopping night hosted by local businesses. Crazy Day, when townsfolk take part in country games, like lawn mower racing. Drag Night before the annual Arts N' Action, when people cruise around town in vintage cars. The Cotton Festival, which also features the town's annual chili cookoff. Turkey Talk on Town & Country, where lucky listeners have a chance to win a turkey over the radio. And the annual Christmas Parade.

Frederick is home to local museums, a WWII hanger and a pioneer town.

Remember when Stars Hallow had a museum in the old Twickham house? Frederick also has a museum made up of an old home, a church, school, barn, general store and train station. I will assure you that the Pioneer Townsite is more efficient, historically accurate and does not feature talking mannequins.

The Crawford Collection shows off a local family's wild adventures with taxidermy animals, and the WWII hanger houses the world-renowned WWII Demonstration Team, which can be seen on Open Hanger Days throughout the year.

READ MORE: Oklahoma's Largest Barn Quilt Is Located In Frederick

Locals decorate Main Street for the seasons in Frederick.

Right now, locals have Frederick all decorated for fall. If you travel down Main Street in Frederick, you'll find mums and pumpkins from Box Inc. outside local businesses. Lamp posts are adorned with fall leaves and scarecrows. And you can always find a set of twinkling lights or two.

So if you're in Oklahoma and you're fantasizing about a fall day in Stars Hollow, consider visiting my hometown of Frederick. It has the small town charm, the quirky events and, most importantly, the people. Stars Hollow wouldn't be the idyllic, fictional small town that it is without the community that genuinely cares about each other and the town they're proud to call home.