Go Fourth and celebrate at events across state
Communities across the state have planned a wide range of events for Independence Day. Some of the events planned follow:
In Oklahoma City, the Boathouse District will host the Downtown 4th Fest starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Festivities will include live music, beer specials, whitewater rafting, lawn games and food from the Big Water Grill. Fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m., with the best viewing areas located southwest of the river or in Bricktown.
The Bricktown 4th Fest will have live music from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the fountains off Reno Avenue on Wednesday, as well. Visitors can catch an Oklahoma City Dodgers vs. Round Rock game at 7:05 p.m. and enjoy fireworks immediately after the game.
Among the city's many festivities also will be the Red, White and Boom Festival, which is free to the public and will be held Tuesday at State Fair Park. The Oklahoma
City Philharmonic will be playing at 8:30 p.m., and fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
Midwest City’s Tribute to Liberty will feature musical concerts and food trucks at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park beginning at 6 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m.
Yukon’s Freedom Fest
begins on Tuesday with a free concert from the Rodeo Opry Band from 5 to 7:45 p.m. in Chisholm Trail Park. The firework show will begin at 10 p.m. Tuesday. The festival will continue on Wednesday with the Freedom Fest Car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the annual Children’s Parade at 11 a.m. in City Park. Evening events include an annual hot dog eating contest and a concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. A second firework show will commence at 10 p.m. For a full list of events, go to www. yukonok.gov.
Norman will hold its annual Norman Day Celebration on Wednesday at Reaves Park. The celebration will begin at noon and feature a dog parade, food booths, pony rides, inflatables, live bands and fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Edmond’s Liberty Fest will kick off with a parade at 9 a.m. Wednesday and will feature various other activities, including an antique car show, a rodeo, live concerts, a scholarship pageant and more. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. in Hafer Park.
Blanchard’s Independence Day Celebration will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday at 987 E Veterans Memorial Highway. Visitors can stop by to see the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band play patriotic music and medleys from movies such as “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Star Wars,” beginning at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m.
Nicholas Hills will have a 4th of July parade at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Kite Park. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume, and
children are encouraged to ride decorated bikes. There also will be an antique car show open to visitors.
Moore’s Heartland Festival is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Buck Thomas Park. Various activities for children are planned throughout the day, including inflatables, barrel train rides and free face painting. Food trucks and vendors also will be stationed in the park, with fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m.
The city of Laverne will host an all-day 4th of July celebration in Laverne City Park. Visitors can catch various sports tournaments, a parade, turtle racing, bingo, free barbecue and fireworks later in the evening.
In Tonkawa, the holiday celebrations will begin with a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade at noon and a number of other activities throughout the day, including horseshoe throwing, turtle racing and coin digging. The celebration will conclude with a fireworks show in the evening.
Stillwater’s Boomer Blast will feature a family fishing tournament at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday at Boomer Lake, a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. and food trucks and free inflatables all day.
Eufaula is continuing its traditional 4th of July Spectacular with a fireworks show at Lake Eufaula on Tuesday.
Woodward’s Home of the Brave Fest will offer visitors a chance to compete in various competitions in the morning, including turtle, sack and three-legged races, a watermelon eating contest and a three-on-three basketball tournament. In the evening, there will be a horseshoe tournament, live bands, the Miss Firecracker Pageant and a fireworks show beginning at 10 p.m.
Pawnee’s annual July 4th Games on the Square will include activities for all ages, from a turtle race to an egg toss. Other activities include sack racing, water balloon volleyball, tug-of-war and a coin dig.
The city of McLoud will offer weekend fun for those who can’t make it out on Wednesday with its annual Blackberry Festival on Friday and Saturday at Veterans Park. Friday’s activities include a Pageant Evening Gown competition from 6 to 8 p.m. and live music from 9 to 11 p.m. On Saturday, the day will start with a parade at 7 a.m., followed by a line up of events, concluding with fireworks at 10 p.m.