Less of a bang
Some Fourth events are canceled, but others are continuing despite pandemic
Like the rest of 2020, Independence Day celebrations will look different across Oklahoma. Some popular events have been postponed or canceled, while others have been scaled back, rearranged for social distancing and request that attendees wear masks.
Canceled events: Edmond's LibertyFest, Bethany Freedom Festival, OKC 4th Fest, Lawton Fort Sill Freedom Festival, Stars & Stripes River Festival and Piedmont Freedom Festival.
Postponed events: Oklahoma City Philharmonic's “Red, White and Boom,” Norman's Fourth of July Celebration and Tulsa's Folds of Honor FreedomFest. These Fourth of July events are still planned across the state this weekend:
Fourth of July train rides: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd. Historic passenger coaches will be pulled by vintage diesel locomotives, and riders with active military ID can take $1 off admission. Seating is limited. Information: www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org or 424-8222.S
Purcell Independence Day Fireworks: 9:45 p.m. Friday at Purcell City Lake, 1400 Chandler Road. Food trucks will start serving treats at 5 p.m. Information: www. facebook.com/purcellparks or 527-7227.
Midwest City's Tribute to Liberty: 6 p.m. Saturday at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave. The event will feature live music by Hunter Thomas and Irv Wagner's Concert Band, food trucks and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Information: www.midwestcityok.org or 739-1289.
A Celebration in the Heartland, Moore: The event at Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12, will be pared down to a car show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Information: www.cityofmoore.com/events/a-celebration-in-theheartland or 793-5090.
Yukon's Freedom Fest: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday is 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. The Freedom Fest Car Show will rev up from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in City Park, 2200 S.Holly Ave., and the celebration will return to Chisholm Trail Park from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday for fireworks and performances by Super Freak and the Oklahoma Community Orchestra. For more information, go to www.yukonok.gov/freedom-fest.
Choctaw Independence Day & Carnival Extravaganza: The
daylong Saturday festivities will be at Choctaw Creek Park, 2001 N Harper Road. The car show is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the carnival from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the fireworks show from 9 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Additional carnival hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Information: mychoctaw.org.
Luther's Parade, Fun, Fireworks: The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday on Main Street; games, music and hot dogs will be served up starting at 3 p.m. at Wildhorse Park, with the fireworks blasting off at 9:30 p.m. Information: www.facebook.com/LutherFireDepartment.
Pauls Valley's fifth annual Opry in the Park and Fireworks Extravaganza: Live music begins
at 7 p.m. Saturday at the band shell in Wacker Park, 1005 N Willow St., and the fireworks show will follow at 9 p.m. Information: www.facebook.com/cityofpaulsvalley and search “Pauls Valley Opry” on Facebook.
Enid's Independence Day Celebration: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Meadowlake Park, 1200 W Rupe. It include a fishing derby, miniature golf, children's activities, a performance by the Enid Symphony and fireworks. Information: https://www.visitenid.org or 580-233-3643. Oklahoma Aquarium's Boomfest, Jenks: 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday at the aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive. With paid admission,
visitors can ride a mechanical bull shark, feed turtles and stingrays and check out the various aquatic exhibits and then head outside to watch the fireworks. Information: okquarium.org or 918-296-3474.
Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College's 4th on the 3rd Concert: 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. The show will have a drive-in format, and people can listen from their vehicles on their car radio or with the free AudioFetch app. They also can bring blankets or lawn chairs and listen outside
as long as they maintain social distancing. Information: signaturesymphony.org.
Bixby Freedom Celebration:
Gates open at 7 p.m. Friday, with fireworks launching at 9:45 p.m. from the northwest corner of Bentley Park, 8505 E 148 St. S. There will be no kids zone, stage program or firefighter challenge this year. Information: http:// bixbyfreedomcelebration.com.
Scissortail Park's “Live from the
Lawn”: The first Independence Day at the new downtown OKC park, 300 SW Seventh, will feature two nights of local music. 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. Information: scissortailpark.org.
Arcadia Round Barn Independence Day Concerts:
The Route 66 landmark, 107 State Highway 66, will have live music all weekend outside under the huge old elm tree in the picnic area. The lineup includes Martin and Pearson from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday; Joe Baxter at 10:30 a.m. and Mike Cartner at 1 p.m. Saturday; and Jon Williams and The Coin Toss at 11:30 a.m. and Edgar Cruz at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and refreshments, and donations will be accepted for barn maintenance. Information: Search for Arcadia Round Barn Facebook group.