After what we’ll freely admit was a bit of a bummer of a 4th of July 2020, live Independence Day events to celebrate freedom are back all over the OKC area. That includes Bricktown’s 4th of July celebration on – you guessed it – Sunday, July 4th. A block party will be thrown on Mickey Mantle Avenue, fireworks will be ignited, and fun will be had with live music, games, food and more at downtown OKC’s only Independence Day-of fireworks display. Check the Facebook event page for more details as well as visitokc.com. Speaking of Bricktown and fireworks, the OKC Dodgers will be taking on those pesky Bees from Salt Lake City at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Friday, July 2, followed immediately by a Friday Fireworks show. Hit up both and you’ll have all your weekend Bricktown firework bases covered (while hopefully watching a few Dodgers round the bases, if ya know what we mean). Pro tip: The Dodgers are playing the Bees on Sunday as well, so you can actually see the game and watch the fireworks from the ballpark twice.
Another annual Independence Day event we really missed last year is the OKC Philharmonic’s free Red, White & BOOM concert. This year, Saturday, July 3 is the day, 8:30 p.m. is the time and Scissortail Park is the place to hear patriotic favorites including the Armed Forces Salute, Climb Every Mountain, God Bless America and more, under the direction of Alexander Mickelthwate. Note this year’s event is a little lighter on the BOOM portion as there will be no fireworks, but there will be plenty of family-friendly listening fun on the lawn. Pro tip: Bring snacks and a blanket and have at it.
Edmond’s LibertyFest is known as “one of the top 10 places to be in America on July 4th” and is “a multi-event celebration of the birthday of this great nation & the heritage of our fine state,” according to the website. With events spanning June 24 through July 4, there are plenty of ways to participate! A highlight is always the parade in downtown Edmond, which begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 3rd, followed by the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 emanating from Hafer Park at 1034 S. Bryant (park at the baseball fields as the park proper will be closed). Pro tip: you can listen to KZUC 99.3 FM UCentral Radio during the fireworks for a synchronized musical experience.
FreedomFest in Yukon is also back for 2021! And there are not one, but two fireworks displays (10 p.m. on Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4) and not three, not four, not five but six live outdoor concerts at this annual event that spans both Chisholm Trail Park and City Park (500 W. Vandament and 2200 S. Holly Ave., respectively). Pro tip: If you’re a fan of the OKC Philharmonic, the 16-piece Philharmonic Pops Chorale is actually playing this event at 8:40 on Sunday, so you can hit Red, White and BOOM Saturday and FreedomFest on Sunday to maximize your Mickelthwate-led orchestral exposure.
Tribute to Liberty at Midwest City’s Joe B. Barnes Regional Park is set for Sunday, July 4 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and will feature music by Andrews Sisters tribute act Character Connection Co. and the soulful Motown-inspired sounds of Souled Out, concluding with a fireworks finale at about 9:45. Pro tip: Bring a picnic dinner or avail yourself of on-site food options, but either way, come hungry!
Norman’s 4th Fest will once again be held at Reaves Park, and like Tribute to Liberty, will feature free family-friendly activities and two pre-fireworks concerts commencing at 5 p.m. with the 395th Army Band followed by Jason Young / Cross Rags and Young at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks about 9:45. Pro tip: Like LibertyFest, you can tune into KGOU to listen to synchronized music or even stream the show on Facebook Live if you can’t be in the vicinity.
Moore’s Celebration in the Heartland 4th of July Festival at Buck Thomas Park is rolling out along the lines of 4th Fest and Tribute to Liberty with live music by Shiloh Steel starting at 4 p.m. and metro favorite Banana Seat at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks. A wealth of kid-friendly activities will be on offer starting at 2 p.m. including inflatables, helicopter rides (!), something called a “barrel train” (we’re not sure what that is but trains = good and barrels = good so it must be fun) and more. Pro tip: come hungry AND thirsty as a number of local favorite food trucks will be on site as well as beers by Greater OKC Chamber member Anthem Brewing Company and the Wheeler District’s Big Friendly brewery, and wines by McAlester’s Whispering Meadows Winery and Urban Wineworks.
Piedmont’s Freedom Festival will observe a “Country/Western theme” this year, and promises to pack a parade, a petting zoo, pony rides, provisions via food trucks and pleasures via carnival rides on Sunday, July 4th starting at 5 p.m., with the parade kicking off at 6 p.m. and a concert at 7 p.m. with fireworks following after dark. Head to 1st and Monroe for all the fun! Pro tip: bring a blanket to watch the parade.
In OKC and many other area municipalities, please note that possession of fireworks in city limits is against the law (this includes sparklers and snakes) and creates lots of problems for our public safety professionals. Pro tip: leave the fireworks to the pros and forgo setting your neighbor’s roof on fire and/or getting a visit from the police.
There are also celebrations in Stillwater, Tuttle, Afton, Chickasha and more – check Metro Family Magazine’s 2021 Independence Day Fun Guide and visitokc.com for more ideas of ways to celebrate Independence Day in and around OKC!
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