Area things to do over the July Fourth weekend

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Vance Airmen will enjoy a four-day weekend thanks to an Air Education and Training Command family day, Friday, July 1, and the July Fourth holiday on Monday.

There are a variety of events and locations worth visiting within a few hours drive of Vance AFB. Here are a few examples.

On base, the Falcon's Nest Bowling Center is offering $1 a game bowling all day July Fourth. They are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Commissary is having a farmer's market and sales July 1 through July 3. The store will be closed July 4 but will be open regular hours July 5.

Looking for something to do with the kids? Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse and Adventure Quest in Enid is hosting its ninth annual Hometown Celebration July 4. It features the world's largest publicly built playground. The event starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until noon. Admission is $6 and includes access to the playground and warehouse until 5 p.m.

Meadowlake Park is also hosting some festivities celebrating American independence. Starting at 6 a.m., the park is hosting a fishing derby with door prizes and cash prize going to whoever catches the biggest fish. At 8:30 p.m., Enid Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform. A fireworks display will start around 9:30 p.m., once the night sky provides a dark enough canvas.

Feel like going to a parade and seeing fireworks outside of Enid? LibertyFest in Edmond, Okla., might be the place. LibertyFest has events running June 25 through July 9. The big day is July 4. There will be a parade starting at 9 a.m. At 6:30 p.m., Park Fest begins with various forms of entertainment geared towards families. The night is finished off with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Oklahoma City is holding the fifth annual Red, White and Boom celebration, July 3 and 4. Live concerts, children's activities, giveaways and fireworks are scheduled. On July 3, at 5 p.m., there will be live music in Bricktown at the corner of Oklahoma and Sheridan Avenues. A fireworks show is scheduled after the Oklahoma City Philharmonic performance at 8:30 p.m.

Events on July 4 begin at 2:45 p.m. A fireworks extravaganza is slated to follow the Oklahoma RedHawks game, which starts at 7:05 p.m. Admission to all concerts is free, parking is $5.

Feel like getting out of Oklahoma for the long weekend? Consider visiting Kaboom Town in Addison, Texas. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and last until midnight. The nationally-recognized fireworks show is 30 minutes long and is choreographed to music and a live radio simulcast. The movie, "Ferris Mueller's Day Off" is scheduled to play after the fireworks display.

If you plan on having you own Independence Day gathering, be mindful of the fireworks laws this year. The city of Enid prohibits the sale, possession, use or distribution of fireworks. However, purchase of fireworks is legal outside city limits and they may be transported through Enid as long as they remain in the original packaging.

If fireworks are set off within the city limits they may be confiscated. Upon confiscation fireworks will be destroyed. It is also illegal to set off fireworks on public and county roads or near standing crops.