4th of July in OKC: Freedom goes Pop!

 

America’s birthday is coming up, and it’s up to us to give the old lady a happy 237th birthday party. Sure, the NSA probably has an unmanned drone hovering above your house right now to make sure you never ever say the word “bomb”, but that doesn’t mean we can’t cook out and enjoy some carefully controlled fireworks! Here are your best bets. Admission to all of them is free, because this is America, dammit.

 

LibertyFest at UCO in Edmond

LibertyFest at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond has technically been going on since late June, but the centerpiece is the festival itself followed by fireworks on the 4th. UCO has an underrated campus; there are plenty of downright pleasant corners you can stake out for an evening of patriotic fervor and light explosives. Get there early to get a good spot, this thing is always packed to the gills. LibertyFest Parade begins at 9 a.m. on the 4th, festival starts at 6 pm, fireworks at 10pm.

Red White and Boom at State Fair Park

Free performance from the OKC Philharmonic, followed by…fireworks, what else? Bring lawn chairs, but leave the dogs at home. I don’t know how they feel about orchestral music, but I know they hate explosions. Concessions on site, so prepare your stomach for some fair food. The fun kicks off at 8:30 p.m.

Bricktown Fireworks

Generally the fireworks in Bricktown happen after a Redhawks game, but the ‘hawks are on the road this year, so you’ll have to somehow cope with only live music, beer, dining, more beer…there’s a movie theater there too, if you want to catch a film first. Also consider heading south to Wiley Post Park on the south bank of the river for a lovely view of fireworks over the skyline and a taco truck run afterwards.

Midwest City Tribute to Liberty

The title of this event would be a little heavy handed if it weren’t for the fact that MWC is all about union labor, good schools, cheap housing, and the Air Force, which I know from the film Top Gun to be totally awesome. Liberty! 8 pm at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, located near Reno Avenue and Midwest Boulevard.

Bethany Freedom Fest

On the other side of the metro you have the 55th annual (!) Freedom Fest in the suburb of Bethany, with even more fireworks, plus carnival rides, a parade, carnival games, pony rides, and food. Fireworks are free, rides and games will cost you money. Fireworks start at 9:55 in Eldon Lyons Park at 39th and MacArthur.

Yukon Freedom Fest

Just west of OKC, Yukon one ups the other festivals on this list by having TWO nights of fireworks, starting tonight at 10 pm, followed tomorrow with a crazy long list of events. Only a few highlights: “Unique Sand Art Contest” at 10 a.m., “Best Decorated Bicycle” contest at 11:30 a.m., Pork at the Park BBQ Cookoff at noon, free watermelon and ice cream at 7 p.m., hot dog eating contest at 8, and finally fireworks at 10.

Moore Celebration in the Heartland

Moore has been through some stuff, guys. Given the circumstances, it might be easy to say, “hey, let’s skip it this year”, but Moore is a little too scrappy for that sort of loser talk. Here are the details from the city’s website:
“This years festival will be held on Thursday July 4th from 10:00am – 10:00pm.   We will NOT have a Carnival this year.
The City of Moore is excited to conclude this event with a huge Fireworks Show on the 4th at dark.
July 4th will feature:  Food Vendors, Children’s Tent, Arts and Crafts Vendors, and more!
Open Car, Truck and Bike Show:  July 4th:  8:00am – 2:00pm
for more information, www.showyourridez.comSand Volleyball Tournament:  Thursday July 4th Double Elimination Tournament:
Date:  July 4th
Format:  4 vs 4 -  2 guys/2 girls  Double Elimination
Time: 9am start
Where: Buck Thomas Sand Volleyball Court”

Seminole 4th of July Festival

They don’t have a ton of information on their website, but Seminole is one of my favorite small Oklahoma towns, so I’ll bet you a free peanut that it’s worth a shot.

“live entertainment, free inflatables, free watermelon, free peanuts, and a fireworks show beginning at 9:45pm!”

Festival starts a 4 pm.

Lansbrook 4th of July Parade

I spent a good number of my formative years in this neighborhood, (built on the ruins of the Kerr McGee Swim Club- true fact!) and I have a soft spot for it to this day. They are lamentably bad at maintaining a website, so all I can tell you is that they are having a parade at 10am tomorrow. It really is a lovely little neighborhood.

 

WHERE TO BUY YOUR OWN FIREWORKS

If you would rather explode things in the comfort of your own home, here are some of our local purveyors of small munitions.

Please remember that shooting your own fireworks is illegal inside the city limits of most of the OKC metro. So be discrete about it or go out to the farm, and please don’t set anything on fire or blow off your hand. That would ruin your whole day.

Fireworks Warehouse

3001 NE 50th Steet
Oklahoma City/Forest Park, OK 73121

(979) 885-3365

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

19751 N. Portland
Edmond, OK 73003

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

444 Hwy 62 West
Mustang, OK 73064

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

11035 N.E. 23rd
Nicoma Park, OK 73066

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

207 E. Hwy. 66
Arcadia, OK 73007

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

S.E. 15th & Choctaw Rd.
Choctaw, OK 73020

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

3156 Banner Road
Yukon, OK 73099

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

603 E Main St
Tuttle, OK 73089

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

600 N Mustard Rd
Tuttle, OK 73089

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

S.E. 29th & Harrah Rd.
Harrah, OK 73045

 

Rudy’s Fireworks

310 South Ask
Luther, OK 73054

 

American Soldier Fireworks

1751 Southeast 192nd AVE
Little Axe, OK 73026

 

Sooner Fireworks Superstore

Corner of Indian Hills and Sooner Rd

Norman

(405) 360-8700

 

 

TNT Fireworks Supercenter

2403 East State Highway 152

Mustang

(405) 745-5765

 

AJ’s Firework Inc.

151 W Waterloo Rd (Edmond)

(405) 359-7277

 

BC Fireworks:

NW Expressway & Richland Rd

Piedmont

(405) 371-0089

 

Firecracker Joe

NW Corner Indian Hills & Santa Fe

Moore

 

Firecracker Joe

NE Corner 15th & Choctaw Rd

Choctaw

 

Firecracker Joe

SW Corner 29th & Indian Meridian

Choctaw

 

Firecracker Joe

NW Corner Indian Hills & Sunny Lane

Norman

 

Firecracker Joe

1/2 mile east of Banner Rd, RT 66

Yukon

 

Firecracker Joe

NE Corner 15th & Choctaw Rd

Choctaw

 

Firecracker Joe

SW Corner 29th & Indian Meridian

Choctaw

 

Firecracker Joe

NW Corner Indian Hills & Sunny Lane

Norman

 

Firecracker Joe

1/2 mile east of Banner Rd, RT 66

Yukon