Fireworks, parades, baseball and more: 30+ events celebrating July 4 in Oklahoma
If there's one occasion that can get Oklahomans outside and away from their air conditioning, it's a Fourth of July celebration.
From dazzling fireworks shows to old-fashioned family festivities, veritably every city, town and village in the Sooner State plans a party to commemorate the July 4 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the American colonies’ separation from Great Britain.
Along with community festivals, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic's free Red, White & Boom! concert and fireworks, professional softball and baseball and the Edmond History Museum's 1940s-style "Songs & Stripes Big Band Show" are adding all-American cheer to the Oklahoma summer calendar.
With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, Independence Day activities are scattered widely across the calendar, so be sure to double-check the date of the event of your choice.
Then, grab your lawn chairs and blankets, your sunscreen and bug spray, your water bottles and hand fans and make plans to get patriotic wherever you happen to be in Oklahoma, since there's probably a Fourth of July event coming soon near you.
It would be impossible to list them all, but here's a sampling of Independence Day events happening across the Sooner State:
Bethany Boom
When and where: 10 a.m. July 4, downtown Bethany and Eldon Lyon Park.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/CityBethanyOK.
The city of Bethany is introducing this year Bethany Boom, which will include a parade at 10 a.m. and a fireworks show at 9:55 p.m. The theme for this year's parade is "World War II: The Greatest Generation."
Norman's Fourth Fest
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. July 4, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/normanokparks.
Attractions include food trucks, family-friendly yard games, an area selling adult beverages and live music by Hook and Lip Service, culminating in a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.
Choctaw Independence Day Celebration
When and where: 5 p.m. July 4, Choctaw Creek Park, 2001 N Harper Road.
Information: https://mychoctaw.org.
The celebration features inflatables, food trucks, games and live music, with fireworks blasting off at dusk.
Red, White & Boom!
When and where: 8:30 p.m. July 3, Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7.
Information: https://www.okcphil.org.
For the fourth year, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic performs its free annual Independence Day concert at Scissortail Park, and the patriotric music will be followed by fireworks illuminating the downtown OKC skyline. This year's program features guest vocalists Jay Gleason and Audrey Logan.
Midwest City's Tribute to Liberty
When and where: 7 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave.
Information: www.midwestcityok.org.
The yearly event features family-friendly fun, food trucks, live music and fireworks.
Moore's Celebration in the Heartland
When and where: 2 to 10 p.m. July 4, Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12.
Information: https://www.cityofmoore.com.
Inflatables, helicopter rides, children's activities, food trucks and live music by G4 Guitar School, The Broadcasters and Jason Young Band will lead up to the fireworks show set to music at about 9:45 p.m.
Newcastle's Red, White and Blue Fest
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. June 29, Veteran's Park, 705 NW 10.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/NewcastleOKParks.
The celebration features food trucks, crafts, games, live music by the OKC band Drive and, new this year, a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament. The fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.
Yukon Freedom Fest
When and where: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 3 and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4, Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W Vandament, and City Park, 2200 S Holly Ave.
Information: https://www.yukonok.gov/freedom-fest.
The free two-day celebration includes a car show, children's parade, the Cherry Bomb Youth Triathlon, hot dog eating contest, free swimming, food trucks, free watermelon and ice cream and more. The Hi-Fi Hillbillies and Winds of the Prairie will play July 3, while Superfreak and the OKC Philharmonic will perform July 4. Plus, fireworks shows will blast off at 10 p.m. both days.
El Reno Fourth of July Fireworks Show
When and where: Dusk July 4, Lake El Reno, exit 123/Country Club Road off I-40.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/cityofer.
The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and cold drinks to see the fireworks.
Mustang's 55th Firefighters Freedom Celebration
When and where: 6:30 p.m. June 29, Wild Horse Park at 1201 N Mustang Rd.
Information: https://www.cityofmustang.org/o/fire/page/firefighters-freedom-celebration.
The free event will include fire trucks, food trucks, a DJ, the fire department's annual raffle and more family-friendly activities. The city of Mustang's Fourth of July fireworks display begins at dusk.
Edmond's LibertyFest
When and where: June 27-July 4, various venues.
Information: https://www.libertyfest.org.
Edmond's Independence Day extravaganza includes the free Concert in the Park at 7:30 p.m. June 27 near Mitchell Hall on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, the Liberty Sprint at 8 a.m. June 30 in Mitch Park, the parade at 9 a.m. July 4 in downtown and more. What's billed as the metro area's largest fireworks display blasts off at 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Hafer Park, 1034 S Bryant.
'Songs & Stripes Big Band Show'
When and where: 5 and 7:30 p.m. July 3, Edmond History Museum, 431 S Boulevard.
Information: https://www.edmondhistory.org/event/2024-songs-stripes-big-band-show.
Flash back to the World War II era when performers entertained U.S. troops through comedy skits and patriotic music. The 1940s radio theater performance features Barrett Huddleston and Tim Herbel entertaining in the style of a Bob Hope USO tour from the 1940s, while acknowledging modern military heroes from Edmond. The Talk of the Town Orchestra will perform with guest singers are Lindsie Vanwinkle-Guthrie and Lynn Herbel. Tickets are $20, but military veterans and service members can get in free if they RSVP.
Tulsa's Folds of Honor FreedomFest
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. July 4, banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa.
Information: https://freedomfesttulsa.com.
The festivities include children's activities, live music and a Monster Energy BMX Stunt Show. The activities are divided between River West Festival Park, 2100 S Jackson Ave., and Dream Keepers Park, 1875 S Boulder Ave., and culminate at 9:30 p.m. with fireworks over the Arkansas River, staged from the 21st Street Bridge.
Blanchard's Groovy Independence Celebration
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. July 2, Independence Park, U.S. 62 and NE 10.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/blanchardcityof.
The event includes a kids zone, food trucks, live music by Superfreak and the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band and a fireworks display.
OKC Baseball Club vs. Las Vegas Aviators
When and where: 7:05 p.m. July 4-6, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 Mickey Mantle Drive.
Information: https://www.milb.com/oklahoma-city/schedule/2024-05.
What's more all-American than baseball? Fireworks will follow the July 4 and 5 games.
Lawton Fort Sill Freedom Festival
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. June 28 and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 29, Lawton's Elmer Thomas Park, 501 NW Ferris Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/LawtonFreedomFestival.
The attractions on June 28 include bounce houses, a soapbox derby, hot dog eating contest, live music by the 77th Army Band and a 9:30 p.m. drone and fireworks show. The daylong festivities June 29 will include a donut dash, gurney races, live music and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks display.
Stillwater's Boomer Blast
When and where: 6 p.m. July 4, Boomer Lake Park, Washington Street and Lakeview Road.
Information: https://stillwater.org.
The celebration includes food trucks, hometown hospitality and vendors, but the main event will be the 9:30 p.m. fireworks show set to music. Car access to the park is prohibited after 4 p.m., and Lakeview Bridge closes at 7 p.m. But free parking is offered at Stillwater High School's Pioneer Stadium.
Shawnee casinos fireworks shows
When and where: Various events and venues.
Information: https://events.visitshawnee.com.
Shawnee is the place to be for big Independence Day fireworks displays, with three local casinos promising dazzling shows: 9:30 p.m. July 2 at Kickapoo Casino, 38900 W MacArthur St.; 10 p.m. July 3 at Firelake Casino, 41207 Hardesty Road; and 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd.
OKC Spark home softball games
When: Various games, Devon Park, 2801 NE 50.
Information: https://www.okcspark.com/schedule.
The OKC Spark professional softball team has several home games coming up, including vs. Great Britain at 7 p.m. June 27-28; vs. Team USA 7 p.m. June 29 and 5 p.m. June 30; vs. the Chattanooga Steam at 7 p.m. July 2-4 and vs. the New York Rise at 7 p.m. July 5-7.
Lindsay Summer Fest
When and where: Noon June 29, Glen Curlee Park, 400-498 W Apache.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/LindsayOkChamber
The festivities begin with free admission from noon to 6 p.m. Lindsay Municipal Swimming Pool, with food trucks, local vendors, live music and bounce houses starting at 4 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.
Grand Lake's Duck Creek Fireworks and Air Show
When and where: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4, Arrowhead Yacht Club, 32894 S 4507 Road, and Cherokee Yacht Club, 33152 Browning Lane, Afton.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/duckcreekfireworks.
One of Grand Lake's longest running traditions, the event will include an afternoon airshow and a sundown F-16 flyover. It will culminate in one of the biggest fireworks displays in the state.
Pauls Valley 4th of July Celebration
When and where: 6:30 p.m. July 4, Thompson Field at Wacker Park, 1003 N Willow.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/cityofpaulsvalley.
The festivities will include food, drinks, music, the famous watermelon seed-spitting contest and fireworks at dusk.
Jenks Boomfest at the Oklahoma Aquarium
When and where: 6:30 p.m. July 4, Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive.
Information: https://www.okaquarium.org.
Folks can visit the aquarium's indoor exhibits, then head outside to watch the fireworks about 9:30 p.m. Last tickets are sold at 8:30 p.m., and all aquarium exhibits close at 9 p.m. Members are admitted free, non-members pay general admission rates, and parking is available for $20.
Johnston County’s Red, White and Boom Celebration in Tishomingo
When: 1 p.m. June 29, Main Street Tishomingo.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/realjohnstoncountychamber.
The festivities will start with a parade at 1 p.m., followed by live music, vendors, food trucks and a 2 p.m. car show. At dark, there will be fireworks at the Tishomingo High School football field, followed by an old school, Red Dirt street dance on Main Street.
Purcell Independence Day Celebration
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. June 28, Purcell Lake, 1400 Chandler Road.
Information: https://www.cityofpurcell.com.
The celebration will include food booths and trucks, games and a car show. Fireworks blast off at 9:45 p.m.
Artesian Beats and Bites in Sulphur
When and where: 5 p.m. July 6, outside The Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa, 1001 W 1.
Information: https://www.artesianhotel.com.
The free event features food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, mechanical bull riding and live music from Tanner Usrey and TJ Todd Band. Fireworks start at 9 p.m, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Pawnee's July 4th Games on the Square
When and where: 8 a.m. July 4, Pawnee's Courthouse Square, 500 Harrison St.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/pawneechamber.
The old-fashioned fun ranges from an egg toss and turtle races to a boot throw and money in the straw, plus fireworks at dusk at Pawnee Lake.
Chickasha's Parade of Stars and Handlebars
When and where: 10 a.m. July 4, Shannon Springs Park, 2400 S 9 St.
Information: https://www.chickashachamber.com/chickasha-s-christmas-in-july-is-back.
The 10 a.m. parade will feature a procession of bikes, scooters, golf cars and ATVs decked out in the finest holiday decor, and the park will host a fireworks show at dusk. The festivities are part of Chickasha's monthlong Christmas in July celebration.
Lake Texoma Fireworks Celebration
When and where: 7 p.m. July 5, West Bay Casino and Resort, 1840 State Park Rd., Kingston.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/WestBayResort.
Aimed at grownups, the festivities will include a beer garden and food trucks, plus live music at 8 p.m. from Texas singer-songwriter Jon Stork at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks over the lake.
Comanche Independence Fest
When and where: 3 to 8 p.m. July 6, Comanche Lake, 286076 E 1825 Rd.
Information: Comanche Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
Festivities include food vendors, bingo, music, games, face painting, bounce houses and more. At dusk, fireworks will be launched over the lake.
Quapaw Nation Powwow
When and where: July 4-7, Quapaw Nation tribal grounds, 5681 S 630 Road, Quapaw.
Information: https://www.quapawtribe.com.
The 152nd annual powwow celebrates Quapaw culture with dancing, contests and more at Beaver Springs Park.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fourth of July events and fireworks across Oklahoma
