July 4th plans change with pandemic
Most of the time, Oklahoma's Fourth of July calendar resembles a fireworks show: lots of familiar fun, with a smattering of new festivities occasionally added for extra flair.
But like so much else in
2020, the Independence Day weekend has been drastically altered thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Many venerable events have been canceled or postponed, while other celebrations are carrying on but with changes designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Postponed and canceled
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic was set to move “Red, White, and
Boom,” its annual July 3 Independence Day concert and fireworks show, from the OKC Fairgrounds to the new Scissortail Park this year. Instead, the celebration, which attracts as many as 30,000 music lovers each year, has been postponed.
“Unfortunately, the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to make this difficult, but necessary, decision. Bringing together large crowds both on and off the stage, to experience and share the power of music, presents very difficult challenges in this environment,” said Oklahoma City Philharmonic Executive Director Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev in an email.
The OKC orchestra's leaders are exploring the option of offering a free outdoor concert later this summer, perhaps around Labor Day.
Similarly, the City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department has postponed its annual 2020 Fourth of July Celebration in Reaves Park and tentatively rescheduled the event, which was formerly called Norman Day, for Sept. 6.
In Tulsa, the River Parks Authority has shifted the annual Folds of Honor FreedomFest to Sept. 7.
But many long- running Fourth of July festivities have been canceled altogether, including Edmond's LibertyFest, Bethany Freedom Festival, Lawton Fort Sill Freedom Festival and Piedmont Freedom Festival. In Oklahoma City's Boathouse District, the OKC 4th Fest, planned for Saturday, and the Stars & Stripes River Festival, which was set for last weekend, both have been scratched for 2020.
Continuing celebrations
Several Independence Day celebrations are still on, although organizers at most of them are encouraging people to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Downtown OKC's new Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh, will celebrate its first Independence Day with two nights of local music as part of its “Live from the Lawn” concert series. The “Okie All Stars,” including Chandra Graham, Kyle Reid, Jabee and more, will perform at 7: 30 p. m. Friday, while Talk of the Town Orchestra will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for the Scissortail Swing Celebration. For more information, go to scissortailpark.org.
“So many people aren't traveling, and coming out to the park is a really safe way (to celebrate). We have so much space to social distance, and we're going to be emphasizing that,” said Scissortail Park Foundation President and CEO Maureen Heffernan.
In Tulsa, the Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College will continue its annual 4th on the 3rd Concert, but with a drive-in format, at 8 p.m. Friday outside the front entrance of the VanTrease PACE on the TCC Southeast Campus, 10300 E 81. The Signature Brass Quintet will perform patriotic favorites, and people can listen from their vehicles on their car radio or with the free AudioFetch app. Concertgoers also can bring blankets or lawn chairs and listen outside as long as they maintain social distancing. For more information, go to signaturesymphony.org.
Yukon's Freedom Fest will return for 2020, but the two-day Independence Day celebration will be scaled back due to the coronavirus. The festivities will kick off from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday with the “Tribute to Yukon Veterans,” including live music from the Hi- Fi Hillbillies and Irv Wagner's Concert Band, plus fireworks, at Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W Vandament Ave. On Saturday, the Freedom Fest Car Show will rev up from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in City Park, 2200 S Holly Ave., and the celebration will return to Chisholm Trail Park from 5:30 to 10 p.m. for fireworks and performances by Super Freak and the Oklahoma Community Orchestra. For more information, go to www.yukonok.gov/freedom-fest.
In Moore, Saturday's Celebration in the Heartland at Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12, will be pared down to the car show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. For more information, go to www.cityofmoore.com/events/a-celebration-in-theheartland or 793-5090.
Midwest City's Tribute to Liberty will start at 6 p. m. Saturday at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave., and feature live music by Hunter Thomas and Irv Wagner's Concert Band, food trucks and a fireworks display at 9: 45 p. m. For more information, go to www.midwestcityok.org or call 739-1289.