Ways to have a "Blast" this Independence Day! (Jun 30, 2011)

A good number of 4th of July celebrations are being held in & around the KGOU listening area. Each has its own unique offerings... but, with one thing in common, fireworks.

Oklahoma City: The aptly named Red, White and Boom! event at the Coca-Cola Event Center parking Lot has live music, food and fireworks this Sunday. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic promises an evening of patriotic pops with Grammy Award winning soloist Sandi Patti known simply as “The Voice”. It’s recommended that concertgoers bring along the lawn chairs.

Edmond: LibertyFest started last Saturday and continues to the 4th, culminating with a morning parade and an evening celebration with family activities and fireworks on the UCO campus.

And two-time Grammy-winning violinist Mark O’Connor has gathered talented fiddlers from around the country for a Sunday evening performance in the Armstrong Auditorium. O’Connor’s “American String Celebration” is a toe-tapping concert of classical, jazz, mountain, Celtic, and Texas-style fiddling.

Norman: The 36th annual Norman Day Festival is Monday at Reeves Park. Local rock group “Mama Sweet” performs live and moon bounces, pony rides and other activities are featured. Everything starts at 4 p.m. with the fireworks display at 9:45.

Moore: This year’s Art in the Park: a Celebration in the Heartland happens at the Buck Thomas Park. There are a variety of things to do July 3rd and 4th including a car show, carnival rides, local music and even Guitar Hero karaoke. The festival concludes with a fireworks display at dark on the 4th.

Midwest City: MWC’s own celebrations start at 6:00 p.m. at the Joe B. Barnes Regional Park  with a live performance from local cover band “The Jumpshots”. Concessions are provided throughout the show and a fireworks display follows the band’s performance at 10:00 p.m.

Yukon: Veterans are the focus of Yukon’s Independence Day celebrations. The annual Freedom Fest takes place in Chisholm Trail Park and features live local music, a hot dog eating contest and of course, a fireworks display. There will also be a special tribute to local Yukon veterans during the festival that lasts from 5 to 11 p.m.

Woodward: The July 4th festivities go on the entire day at the Crystal Beach Park in Woodward. The day starts with family foot races, sack races, 3-legged races among others. Mini-golf, paddleboats, cool-off centers and ice cream stands populate the park from noon to 5. And finally, the evening brings live local music and fireworks.

Seminole: Classic summertime activities, live music and inflatables take over the Magnolia Park on Monday. Now in its 5th year, Seminole's Independence Day gathering includes horseshoe tossing, football throwing, balloon tossing, hoop shooting and you guessed it, fireworks exploding.

Chickasha: Due to Grady County’s ban on any outside fireworks, local Chickasha businesses came together to sponsor the Freedom Fireworks Display at Shannon Springs Park. It lasts from 9 to 10 and spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

There are more events in our calendar section here.