Edmond is turning red, white and blue
EDMOND — Downtown Edmond will take on the hues of red, white and blue for the annual LibertyFest parade set for the Fourth of July.
This is the 41st anniversary of LibertyFest, which is organized and produced each year by a group of more than 500 volunteers. The festival’s 10 familyfriendly events entertain more than 125,000 people over 13 days.
The 1.5-mile parade, starting at 9 a.m. July 4, is expected to bring more than 50,000 people and more than 100 parade entries to downtown.
This year’s theme is A Hometown Fourth of July.
“LibertyFest is not only a series of events in celebration of our country’s independence, but it’s also an opportunity for the city to show our appreciation to the citizens of Oklahoma for their thankless giving to others,” said Robby Allen, 2013 LibertyFest president.
The LibertyFest band concert at the University of Central Oklahoma will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Mitchell Hall Theatre.
The show will feature a mixture of light classical, marches and patriotic songs. The one-hour concert is free to attend.
Free watermelon and ice cream will be served while the supplies last following the concert.
“What a wonderful reason for all of us to gather as a community to celebrate our nation’s proud beginnings and our enduring values,” said Don Betz, University of Central Oklahoma president.
“On our national day, we are reminded that the precious gift of freedom we embrace in America, the cherished rights enshrined in our founding documents over two centuries ago, can never be ignored or taken lightly.”
Saturday’s events
On Saturday, a car show, a kite festival and the Miss LibertyFest Pageant are on the schedule.
The 13th annual car show is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at E.C. Hafer Park, 1034 S Bryant Ave.
The 23rd annual LibertyFest Kite Festival is from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a lighted night flying on Saturday, weather permit- ting. The event is free, and people are asked to enter J.L. Mitch Park off Santa Fe Avenue, north of Covell Road.
The Miss LibertyFest Pageant starts with the teen pageant at 2:30 p.m. and the main pageant at 7 p.m. at UCO’s Mitchell Hall Theatre. Tickets are $10.
Contestants will compete in interviews, onstage questions, talent, physical fitness and evening wear.
Sunday’s events
Besides the continuation of KiteFest, Sunday features a road rally and a Taste of Edmond, LibertyFest’s fundraiser to help with costs of putting on the annual event.
The road rally is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All participants will register and start at Earl’s Rib Palace, 2121 S Broadway.
Participants will tour Edmond with a map in search of answers to questions. The awards ceremony is set for 5 p.m.
Taste of Edmond is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Festival Marketplace downtown. The cost in advance is a $10 donation. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge. The donation the day of the event is $15 a person.
Advance-purchase wristbands for Taste of Edmond are available at:
Edmond Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1030 S Bryant Ave.
Historical Society & Museum, 431 Boulevard.
Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S Broadway.
Fashion Boutique, 104 S Broadway.
Fields Jewelry, 12 S Broadway.
Gourmet Gallery, 1532 Boulevard.
Patti’s Hallmark, 3216 S Broadway.
Sacred Heart Catholic Gifts, 15 S Broadway.
The Edmond Sun, 123 S Broadway.
Big-time Fourth
LibertyFest activities wrap up with ParkFest and fireworks at UCO on July 4.
ParkFest begins at 6:30 p.m. with free watermelon, music, games, contests and family entertainment.
The fireworks are expected to begin around 10 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
The 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse, owned by the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust, will be open July 4 for tours, and it will serve as a place to watch the parade. The schoolhouse is at 124 E Second St.
“Picnic tables in the backyard are available for resting in the shade,” organizer Beverly Terry said. “We will allow bell ringing during the parade.”
To learn more
For more information, go to www.libertyfest.org.