Who doesn’t love a parade? As far as holidays go, Independence Day is right up there for me. Some of the best memories of my childhood revolve around July 4—summer is in full swing and we always had a barbecue to celebrate mom’s birthday (also on the 4th). We would decorate our bikes and ride in the parade, ending at the park where (my favorite part) we enjoyed ice cream before riding home again. If our listing is any indication, Oklahoma loves Independence Day. From music to parades, airplanes and fi reworks, blackberries and ice cream, Oklahoma has something for everyone this summer. What are you waiting for? —Mari Farthing, Editor

June 25-July 4
LibertyFest
Venues all around the city of Edmond
405-340-2527, LibertyFest.org
A variety of events are scheduled, including concerts, activities such as Chalk It Up, a parade and fireworks. Detailed event schedule available online.

June 28
Rockets Over Rhema
Rhema Bible Church, Broken Arrow
918-258-1588, RocketsOverRhema.com
Patriotic family event features entertainment, activities and huge fireworks display.

July 3
Tribute to Veterans
Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament), Yukon
405-350-8937, ci.yukon.ok.us
A patriotic celebration to honor veterans. Event is followed by a concert and fireworks display. Free; 5:45pm.

OKC Philharmonic presents Red, White, & Boom
Bricktown, (in front of the Coca Cola Events Center). okcphilharmonic.org
FREE, 8:45pm. Concert followed by fireworks display. 842-5387.

July 3-4
Art in the Park—A Celebration in the Heartland
Buck Thomas Park NE 12, Moore
405-793-5224, CityofMoore.com
A variety of activities for kids, art, music and food. Saturday evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display after dark. Free; Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm.

Old-Fashioned Festival and Parade
Main St & Pennington Park, Tishomingo
580-371-2175
Activities, entertainment and fireworks on Friday. Parade, activities and food on Saturday.

Let Freedom Ring Celebration
Crystal Beach Park, Woodward
580-256-9990, CityOfWoodward.com
Re-opening of Crystal Beach Park include concerts, pancake breakfast, Firecracker 5K run, activities, and July 4 remarks by President George W. Bush and fireworks.

July 3-5
McLoud Blackberry Festival
McLoud City Park, McLoud
405-964-6566, McLoudChamber.com
The event includes a parade, carnival, car show, arts & crafts, music, dance, queen and princess contest and blackberry cobbler, blackberry ice cream and blackberry jellies. Free; Friday 5pm-midnight; Saturday, 8am-midnight and Sunday 5-10pm.

Vietnam Wall
Piedmont High School’s Stout Field, Hwy 4 & Edmond Road, Piedmont
405-721-3182, DignityMemorial.com
Features a 3/4-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Open 24 hours a day. Other activities will be held in association with the memorial. Find details online.

July 4
4th of July Celebration
Bricktown, Oklahoma City
405-236-8666, BricktownOKC.org
Event features Art on the Canal, a block party with concessions, live music, various activities on Oklahoma & Sheridan Streets, water taxi rides, Redhawks game and fireworks display. For more information visit website. Free; 12pm-12am.

4th of July Celebration
City Park, Crescent
405-969-3518
Parade (11am), turtle races, baby pageant, bingo, activities for the kids, carnival and fireworks. Free; 12-10pm.

4th of July Spectacular & Bell Cow Run
Tilghman Park, Chandler
405-258-0673, ChandlerOK.net
Free entertainment, games and food, with fireworks at Bell Cow Lake beginning at dark. Plus a 5K, two mile fun run (7:15-9am). 12-9:30pm.

Boomer Blast
Boomer Lake, Stillwater
405-747-8070, Stillwater.org
Enjoy family activities and fireworks. Free; 6-10pm.

Cajun Festival
Civic Center, Grove
918-786-8896, GrandLakeFestivals.com
Enjoy a variety of Cajun treats, from music and entertainment to food and arts and crafts.

Celebrate America
Downtown Main Street
Downtown Poteau
918-647-9178
Family-themed entertainment includes games, food and large fireworks show.

Centennial Freedom Festival
Eldon Lyon Park, Bethany
405-789-2146, CityofBethany.org
Kicks off with the Centennial Freedom Run, parade (10am), car show (11am), carnival and fireworks. Free; 7:30am-10pm.

El Reno Fireworks Display
Lake El Reno
405-262-4070, CityofElReno.com
Fireworks display over the lake. Free; at dusk.

Family Fun & Freedom Festival
Shannon Springs Park, Chickasha
405-574-1320, ChickashaArts.org
Includes swimming pool, arts & crafts, rock climbing wall, chalk art, beach volleyball tournament, concert and
fireworks show at dusk. 3-11:30pm

Fourth at the Fort Fort Gibson Historical Site, Fort Gibson
918-478-4088
Historical daily life and military demonstrations, music and Declaration of Indepedence reading.

Fourth of July Festival
Magnolia Park, Seminole
405-382-3640, SeminoleOKchamber.org
A day filled with entertainment, food and activities for kids.

Freedom Fest
Yukon City Park (2200 S Holly) & Chisholm Trail Park (500 W. Vandament), Yukon
405-350-8937, CityofYukonOK.gov
Celebrate with the Mid American Hot Rod Association car show, children’s activities, swimming, petting zoo, pony rides, children’s parade, and relay races. This event also features live musical entertainment featuring the OKC Philharmonic and a huge fireworks display. Free; 8am-11pm.

Freedom Festival
Lake Ponca, Ponca City
866-763-8092, PoncaCityOK.com
Flag Raising Ceremony 7am. Sand volleyball, food and novelty vendors, inflatable games, entertainment and a parade of boats with fireworks, 9:50pm. Free. 1pm.

Hometown Celebration
Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse, Enid
580-233-2787, Leonardos.org
Old fashioned fun for the entire family featuring games, contests, and prizes. Free gift for the first 200 children. All day admission $5 per person, good for museum and playground. 10am-1pm.

Honor America Day
Randlett Park, Anadarko
405-247-6651, Anadarko.org
Old-fashioned family fun includes fishing contest, soapbox derby, concessions and fireworks.

Huckleberry Festival
Citywide, Jay
918-253-8698
Annual citywide festival includes family activities, carnival and Huckleberry 5K run.

Ice Cream Festival
Downtown Tuttle
405-381-4600, TuttleChamber.org
Celebration featuring Braum’s Ice Cream and includes turtle races, Princess Pageant, hospitality booth, kid’s tent, ice cream eating contest, Etowa Road Band, fireworks display and lots of family fun. Free; 9am-10pm.

Independence Day Festivities
Main St & Kingfisher Park, Kingfisher
405-375-4445, Kingfisher.org

July 4th Celebration
Redbud Park, Marlow
580-658-2212, MarlowChamber.org
Parade at 9:15am begins a day of family-friendly events including games, rides, entertainment, food, arts and crafts and fireworks (10pm).

Kid’s Fishing Tournament
Roman Nose State Park, Watonga
580-623-5454
Children 15 and under are invited to fish for prizes.

Poppin’ in the Park
City Park, Sayre
580-928-3386, SayreChamber.com
An old-fashioned fireworks display.

Red White & Blue Celebration
Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, Shawnee
405- 275-7020, ShawneeExpo.com
Event includes live music, lots of family fun and fireworks. Free; 6pm.

Run for the Clover
Tenkiller State Park, Vian
918-489-5641, OklahomaParks.com
Watermelon feast, hayride, water balloon fights, games and turtle rally.

Stars & Stripes FunFest
Southeast Expo Center, McAlester
918-420-3976
Live entertainment, games and fireworks.

Summerfest
Wolf Field, Davis
580-369-2402, DavisOK.org
Parade, activities, flag presentation to veterans and evening fireworks display.

Tulsa Freedom Fest
2100 S Jackson Ave, Tulsa
918-596-2008, TulsaSalutesFreedom.com
Evening activities include airplane parades, kids activities, and fireworks.