22 events in 2022 where you can celebrate July 4th across Oklahoma
The boom is back to the Fourth of July in the Sooner State.
After two years of curtailed celebrations — from cancellations and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to pyrotechnics-free festivities caused by last year's fireworks shortage — July Fourth celebrations across Oklahoma are planning a big bang this year.
From the 50th anniversary celebration for Edmond's LibertyFest to the old-fashioned fun of Pawnee's July 4th Games on the Square, here are 22 Oklahoma Independence Day celebrations to check out in 2022:
1. Edmond's LibertyFest
When and where: Various events and venues.
Information: https://www.libertyfest.org.
Edmond's Independence Day extravaganza is celebrating its 50th anniversary with several events. The festivities start with the long-running rodeo at 8 p.m. June 24-26 at Carl Benne Arena, followed by a car show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 25 at Hafer Park and KiteFest from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 25 and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26 on the west side of Mitch Park.
The celebration continues with the Concert in the Park at 7:30 p.m. June 30 near Mitchell Hall on the University of Central Oklahoma campus. ParkFest is from 12:30 to 3 p.m. July 2 at Mitch Park, the road rally begins at 10 a.m. July 3 at Earl's Rib Palace, and the Liberty Sprint starts at 7:30 a.m. July 3 at at Ayers and Broadway.
On July 4, the parade begins at 9 a.m. in downtown Edmond and what's billed as the metro area's largest fireworks display blasts off at 9:30 p.m. at Hafer Park.
2. Stars & Stripes River Festival and Block Party
When and where: 8 a.m. to dusk June 25 and July 2 in the Boathouse District, 725 S Lincoln Blvd.
Information: https://www.riversportokc.org.
The Stars & Stripes River Festival is expanding this year to two days of events over two weekends. On June 25, the Stars & Stripes Regatta will include rowing and dragon boating racing along with Riversport Adventures, whitewater rafting, food and live music, capped off with fireworks on the Oklahoma River.
On July 2, the Stars & Stripes Block Party will start with dog yoga and feature surfing and whitewater fun, plus special attractions like a Dog Dock Diving exhibition, live music, a watermelon eating contest, yard games, food and more fireworks at dusk.
3. Red, White & Boom!
When and where: 8:30 p.m. July 3 at Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh.
Information: https://www.okcphil.org.
For the second year, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will perform its free annual Independence Day concert at Scissortail Park, and this year, the fireworks will return to the beloved event and illuminate the downtown OKC skyline.
4. Norman's 4th Fest
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave. in Norman.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/normanokparks.
Attractions will include yard games, face painting, a cornhole tournament, food trucks, adult beverages and live music, culminating in a fireworks show at dusk.
5. Yukon Freedom Fest
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. July 3 and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 at Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W Vandament, and City Park, 2200 S Holly Ave.
Information: http://www.yukonok.gov/freedom-fest.
The free two-day celebration includes a car show, children's parade, sand art competition, the Cherry Bomb Youth Triathlon, hot dog eating contest, food trucks and more. The Hi-Fi Hillbillies, Irv Wagner's Concert Band will play July 3, while Super Freak and the OKC Philharmonic will perform July 4. Plus, fireworks shows will blast off at 10 p.m. both days.
6. Mustang Firefighter's Freedom Celebration
When and where: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. June 25 in Mustang's Wild Horse Park, 1201 N Mustang Rd.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/Mustang-Fire-Department-1756013841205346.
The event includes food trucks, fire trucks, a live DJ and more family fun activities. Fireworks are legal in Mustang from June 27 through July 4, so no individual fireworks are permitted within Wild Horse Park during the June 25 celebration.
7. Midwest City's Tribute to Liberty
When and where: 6 p.m. July 4 at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave.
Information: www.midwestcityok.org.
The event features live music, including The Andrews Sisters Tribute by Character Connection Co. and a performance by The Wise Guys, along with food trucks and a 9:45 p.m. fireworks show.
8. Tulsa's Folds of Honor FreedomFest
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. July 4 on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa.
Information: http://freedomfesttulsa.com.
The festivities will include children's activities, live music and a Red Bull Sky Dive Team Jump Landing. The activities will be divided between River West Festival Park, 2100 S Jackson Ave., and Dream Keepers Park (formerly Veterans Park), 1875 S Boulder Ave., and culminate at 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks over the Arkansas River, staged from the 21st Street Bridge.
9. Bethany Freedom Fest
When and where: 10 a.m. July 2 in downtown Bethany and at Eldon Lyon Park.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/CityBethanyOK.
This year's event will feature a full day of activities, starting with a parade marching at 10 a.m. on historic Route 66 from Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th Expressway, to Eldon Lyon Park, 7400 NW 36.
The celebration will continue with Street Fest, including a car show, entertainment and vendors, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Bethany. At 9:55 p.m., fireworks will light up Eldon Lyon Park, which will open at 7 p.m.
10. Moore's Celebration in the Heartland
When and where: 2 to 10 p.m. July 4 in Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12 in Moore.
Information: https://www.cityofmoore.com.
Inflatables, helicopter rides, children's activities, food trucks and live music will lead up to the fireworks show set to music at about 9:45 p.m.
11. Stillwater's Boomer Blast
When and where: 6 p.m. July 1 at Boomer Lake Park, Washington Street and Lakeview Road in Stillwater.
Information: http://stillwater.org.
The celebration will include 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 will be prohibited after 4 p.m., and Lakeview Bridge will be closed at 7 p.m. But free parking will be offered at Stillwater High School's Pioneer Stadium and Cimarron Plaza.
12. Choctaw Independence Day Celebration
When and where: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 at Choctaw Creek Park, 2001 N Harper Rd.
Information: https://mychoctaw.org.
The celebration will feature inflatable water slides, music, food and games, with fireworks blasting off at about 9:45 p.m.
13. Lake Eufaula Fireworks Show
When and where: 9:30 p.m. July 2 in Eufaula.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/cityofeufaulaok.
The fireworks will launch from the Southpoint Recreation Area across Lake Eufaula from the marina. Seating will be available at Eufaula High School's Paul Bell Stadium, 530 Lakeland Drive.
14. Blanchard Independence Day Celebration
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. July 2 at Independence Park, U.S. Highway 62 and NE 10 in Blanchard.
Information: https://cityofblanchard.us.
The event includes helicopter rides, a kids zone, food and vendors, military honors, live music by SquadLive and the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band and a fireworks display.
15. Lawton Fort Sill Freedom Festival
When and where: 4 to 9:30 p.m. July 1 and 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. July 2 in Lawton's Elmer Thomas Park, 501 NW Ferris Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/LawtonFreedomFestival.
The attractions on July 1 will include food trucks, zip lines, bounce houses and street performers. The daylong festivities July 2 also will include the Parade in the Park, live music by Oklahoma "American Idol" contestant Emily Faith and the 77th Army Rock Band and a huge fireworks show choreographed to music at 9:30 p.m.
16. Quapaw Nation Powwow
When and where: July 1-4 at the Quapaw Nation tribal grounds, 5681 S 630 Rd. in Quapaw.
Information: http://www.quapawtribe.com.
The 150th annual powwow will celebrate Quapaw culture with dancing, contests and more at Beaver Springs Park.
17. Pauls Valley 4th of July Celebration
When and where: 4 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Wacker Park, 1003 N Willow in Pauls Valley.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/lovepvevent.
Food trucks, inflatables, live music, a watermelon seed-spitting contest, a mechanical bull and more will be part of the festivities, plus fireworks at dusk.
18. McLoud Blackberry Festival
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. July 8 and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 9 at Veterans Memorial Park, Sixth and Park in McLoud.
Information: https://www.mcloudchamber.com.
One of the oldest continual festivals in the state, this event was designed to celebrate both the blackberry harvest and July 4. Dating back to the 1940s, the fest includes a carnival, parade, live music, the Cobbler Gobbler contest and more.
19. Jenks Boomfest at the Oklahoma Aquarium
When and where: 6:30 p.m. July 4 at the 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 at about 9:30 p.m. Food trucks and beverage options will be available, and attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets. 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 $10.
20. Purcell Independence Day Celebration
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. July 1 at Purcell Lake, 1400 Chandler Rd.
Information: https://www.cityofpurcell.com.
A car show, country and western dancing, inflatables, face painting and food trucks are planned, plus a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.
21. Grand Lake's Duck Creek Fireworks
When and where: 4 to 10:30 p.m. July 4 at the Arrowhead Yacht Club, 32894 S 4507 Rd., and Cherokee Yacht Club, 33152 Browning Lane, in Afton.
Information: https://www.duckcreekfireworksok.com.
One of Grand Lake's longest running traditions, the annual festivities include an air show and fireworks display.
22. Pawnee's July 4th Games on the Square
When and where: 8 a.m. to noon July 4 at Pawnee's Courthouse Square, 500 Harrison St.
Information: https://www.pawneechamberofcommerce.org/calendar.
The old-fashioned fun ranges from the egg toss and turtle races to the boot throw and money in the straw. The community's Independence Day festivities also include the 76th annual Pawnee Indian Veterans Homecoming June 30-July 3 at the Pawnee Football Field, the Pawnee Indian Veterans Parade at noon July 2 in downtown Pawnee, and fireworks at 10 p.m. July 4 at Pawnee Lake.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 22 events in 2022 where you can celebrate 4th of July in Oklahoma
