If you love the 4th of July as much as I do, then you’re probably ready to make some plans. Here is a list of events, celebrations, firework displays and a lot of other fun stuff happening around Oklahoma in celebration of America’s 235th Birthday!

Click on the title of each event for more details.

A

4^th of July Celebration
7/4/2011, 9:30 p.m.
Altus, OK

Come out to this 4th of July Celebration in Altus and bring the family for a one-of-a-kind fireworks display.

Honor America Day
7/4/2011, 2 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Anadarko, OK (Randlett Park)

Celebrate the 4th of July in Anadarko and enjoy old-fashioned events, live music and a car show at Honor America Day. Take a spin through the festival’s popular custom car and truck show, browse through rows of classic and vintage cars and then make your way to one of the many concession booths at Honor America Day for traditional fair food, sweet treats and icy cold drinks. As an added bonus, live bands will be performing for crowds of festival-goers throughout the festival.

Fireworks Show
7/4/2011, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ardmore, OK (Lake Murray State Park)

Come and enjoy this Independence Day celebration at Lake Murray State Park. Visitors will enjoy music, food booths and spectacular fireworks reflecting off the water of beautiful Lake Murray. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and enjoy the show.

B

Bethany Freedom Festival
7/4/2011, All Day
Bethany, OK (Eldon Lyon Park)

This event has one of the largest fireworks displays in the greater Oklahoma City area, live music from the Chris Henson Band, and a lively patriotic parade. The Bethany Freedom Parade begins at 10 a.m. and once the Parade has ended, the Bethany Freedom Festival will commence and includes a carnival, pony rides, inflatables, shopping, festival food, a car show and live music from the Chris Henson Band. Finally, the fireworks show, the pride of the community on the Fourth of July, will provide lasting memories for people of all ages.

The Bethany Freedom Carnival tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the carnival and cost $1. Most rides require more than one ticket. Wristbands can be purchased for $15 from Thursday through Sunday and $20 on Monday, July 4. The wristbands last all day.

Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
7/4/2011, 11 a.m.
Blackwell, OK (Memorial Park & Blackwell Fairgrounds)

This old-fashioned Independence Day celebration in Blackwell features a parade, family activities in the park, fireworks at dusk, games, music and concessions. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an afternoon filled with turtle races, a sack race, three-legged race, wheelbarrow race and a free public swim at Memorial Pool. Show up at 11am for the downtown parade or enter to win the decorated bicycle and wagon contest.

Fourth of July Blowout
7/1/2011 – 7/4/2011
Braggs, OK (Greenleaf State Park)

Celebrate this Independence Day with a trip to Greenleaf State Park, located along the shores of Greenleaf Lake. This Fourth of July Blowout features a wide array of activities perfect for the whole family. Celebrate the summer holiday with canoe races, boat rides, a campfire program for kids and more.

C

Kiowa Gourd Clan Celebration
7/2/2011 – 7/4/2011, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Carnegie, OK (Carnegie City Park)

Come out and experience American Indian dancing by the Kiowa Gourd Clan at the annual Kiowa Gourd Clan Celebration in Carnegie. This event will feature the tribe’s Sun Dance, held in the middle of summer during the longest and hottest days of the year. Celebrate the beauty of summer with the colorful ceremony and traditional pageantry of this event, held during Fourth of July weekend. Visitors to Carnegie’s Kiowa Gourd Clan Celebration will enjoy gourd dancing, stunning shawls and drumming exhibitions. Honor the traditions, ceremonial dances, songs and history of the Kiowa tribe this July.

Family Fourth of July
7/4/2011, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Cherokee, OK (City Park & Football Field)

Bring the entire family to Cherokee’s Family Fourth of July celebration and enjoy a full day of fun that starts with horseshoe tournaments, sack races, carp catch for the kids and a hamburger fry. This patriotic event will also feature free family swimming in the afternoon and more fun and games at night. Stick around for an evening fireworks display.

Coalgate Independence Day Celebration
7/4/2011, 11 a.m.
Coalgate, OK

Celebrate the 4th of July with the citizens of Coalgate at the city’s Independence Day Celebration. This small town celebration includes a parade throughout the streets of downtown and free refreshments. Head over to the city park for delicious barbecue sandwiches. Challenge other festival-goers to a game of bingo or simply enjoy live music on the main stage all afternoon long. Stick around for the Independence Day Celebration’s grand finale: a breathtaking fireworks display at dark.

Fireworks After Dark
7/4/2011, 9 p.m.
Cresent, OK (Don’s Drug Store)

Join Crescent for one of the states oldest July 4th celebrations which includes a Taco Eating Contest, Turtle Race, live music and fireworks.

D

Grand Lake Fireworks
7/4/2011, 9 p.m.
Disney, OK (Grand Lake)

Come to the Grand River Dam to see the sights, take a tour of the dam, swim, camp and enjoy the lake by boat. At dusk, make your way to Cherokee State Park and enjoy this free fireworks show on the lake. The event will take place between the two spillways on the water from Hwy 28 on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. The Grand River Dam parking lot at Langley will also be open for people to park and enjoy the show.

Summer Oil Patch Festival
7/4/2011, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Drumright, OK (Sellers Ranch)

Drumright, Oklahoma, to Host July 4 “Summer Oil Patch Festival” with Day-Long Concert Co-Starring Ricochet and Shawna Russell, Children’s Fair and Huge Fireworks Display

Free-to-the-Public Family Event Sponsored by Keystone Gas Corporation, Pacer Energy Marketing and Budweiser to Include Special Musical Guests Bo Phillips, LiveWire and Flat River Band

E

LibertyFest
6/25/2011 – 7/4/2011
Edmond, OK

LibertyFest in Edmond, Oklahoma was selected as one of the top 10 places to be in America on July 4th by CNN & USA Today. It is a week long celebration of the birthday of this great nation & the heritage of our fine state.

LibertyFest Car Show
6/25/2011, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

LibertyFest Kite Fest
6/25/2011, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

LibertyFest Rodeo
6/25/2011 – 6/26/2011, 8 p.m.

LibertyFest Road Rally
6/26/2011, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

LibertyFest UCO Summer Band
6/27/2011, 7 p.m. -  9 p.m.

LibertyFest Concert in the Park
6/30/2011, 7 p.m.

LibertyFest Chalk-It-Up
7/1/2011, 10 a.m.

LibertyFest Parade
7/4/2011, 9 a.m.

LibertyFest ParkFest and Fireworks
7/4/2011, 6:30 p.m.

4^th of July Fireworks Spectacular
7/3/2011, 9:30 p.m.
Eufaula, OK (Eufaula Lake)

Relax and enjoy this spectacular fireworks display from the shores of beautiful Lake Eufaula. Known as the largest fireworks display on Lake Eufaula, the fireworks can be viewed by shore or from your boat.

F

Fourth at the Fort
7/4/2011, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Fort Gibson, OK

Fort Gibson Independence Day observance features living history presenters and a reading of the Declaration of Independence as it would have been done at an early frontier garrison. There will be a reception for the public after the reading.

Fireworks Extravaganza
7/4/2011, 9: 30 p.m.
Lake Tenkiller (Gore, OK)

Bring the family out and enjoy this annual fireworks show over beautiful Lake Tenkiller. Fireworks can be viewed from the water, Tenkiller State Park or the Corp of Engineers Campgrounds. Held for over 25 years, the Fireworks Extravaganza in Gore also features a boat parade of over 1,000 boats.

Arts, Crafts, Music and Cajun Festival
7/2/2011, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Grove, OK

Visitors to the annual Arts, Crafts, Music & Cajun Festival don’t have to travel deep into the heart of Cajun country to find good food, good times and good music. Spend an afternoon in Grove and enjoy authentic Cajun music, Cajun food and a wealth of entertainers. Shop for beautiful hand-crafted jewelry or American Indian art amongst the numerous arts and crafts vendors that will be set up at this event. Feast on chicken and sausage jambalaya, or enjoy traditional festival fare such as hamburgers and hot dogs.

Grove Quilt Show
7/2/2011 – 7/4/2011, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Grove, OK (Grove Community Center)

The biennial Grove Quilt Show, hosted by the Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees Quilt Guild, is a judged quilt show held in conjunction with 4th of July activities around beautiful Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Visitors to this much-anticipated quilt show will enjoy over 100 quilts on display, a variety of craft vendors, door prizes, a raffle and live quilt auction. Spend the afternoon browsing through the stunning quilt displays at this year’s Grove Quilt Show and stick around for festive fireworks on the lake.

H

Hartshorne Round-Up Club Rodeo
6/30/2011 – 7/2/2011, 5 p.m.
Hartshorne, OK

This open rodeo features area contestants and is held around the 4th of July. This annual event is family-oriented, so bring the kids to the Hartshorne Round-Up Club Rodeo for fun, good food and a wide variety of traditional rodeo events. This rodeo will feature such events as a children’s calf scramble, double mugging and bronc riding. The Hartshorne Round-Up Club Rodeo is part of the Ward Rodeo Stampede Series. Come see a patriotic rodeo parade and stick around to see which lucky contestant is crowned Rodeo Queen.

Independence Day Celebration
7/2/2011, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Henryetta, OK (Nichols Park)

Make your way to Henryetta’s annual Independence Day Celebration in the city’s beautiful and historic Nichols Park. This event celebrates the 4th of July with a fireworks display, games, a youth fishing tournament, car show and live music. This event is free to the public.

J

Huckleberry Festival
7/2/2011, All Day
Jay, OK

Hop on over to Jay for the city’s annual Huckleberry Festival and celebrate the wild huckleberries that thrive in the area. The unique berry, more intense in flavor than the common blueberry, has spawned this festival that draws visitors from around the state and beyond. Browse through exhibit halls filled to the brim with arts and crafts, a quilt show, homemade goods and various vendors. Sign up for the annual Huckleberry 5K run or take it easy and meander through classic cars and street rods in the festival’s car show.

Take an exhilarating spin on a carnival ride or show up early Saturday morning for the Huckleberry Festival’s parade, which typically begins promptly at 10am. Events will be held citywide, so pick up a snow cone or a refreshing glass of huckleberry lemonade and wander through downtown Jay to make sure you see it all. Area bakers will submit their best pies for the huckleberry pie contest, while a wide variety of luscious pies will be put on the auction block for the festival’s popular pie auction.

Jay Fireworks Display
7/4/2011, 9:30 p.m.
Jay, OK (J.B. Earp Stadium)

Bring the family to Jay, the self-proclaimed Huckleberry Capital of the World, and come celebrate the 4th of July by watching a spectacular fireworks display at the city’s J.B. Earp Stadium.

K

Duck Creek Fireworks
7/3/2011, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ketchum, OK (Duck Creek on Grand Lake)

Attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year, the Duck Creek Fireworks celebration is a true fireworks spectacular. Join spectators from across the state and region as they line the shores of Grand Lake awaiting the show. Enjoy music, dancing, great food, commercial vendors and the time-honored spectacle of boats parading up and down the creek. Keep an eye out for the highly anticipated War Bird flyover, a loving tribute to the men and women serving overseas and an event that grows each year in the number of vintage aircraft deployed. Visitors to Duck Creek Fireworks will have the opportunity to view the airplanes up close and meet the pilots at nearby Ketchum Airport at 4pm. Secure a seat along the shore and watch the planes fly overhead as they make their pass over the creek at 7pm. The fireworks, which will begin promptly as soon as the sun sets, will be synchronized to patriotic music. Make your way to Ketchum and enjoy an Independence Day celebration the whole family will love.

Free Patriot Quilt Show at Kingfisher’s Stars & Stripes Celebration
7/4/2011, 12 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Kingfisher, OK (Kingfisher Park)

The Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce proudly features the God Bless America Touring Quilts in its Stars and Stripes Celebration following the 10:00 am downtown parade at the Kingfisher Park in the Girl Scout House. Quilt artists and author Judy Howard will share the heart-warming stories behind the quilts and autograph books and exhibit 100 patriotic quilts in this free air conditioned show.

Other festivities include: Inflatables, Carriage Rides, Food Vendors, 40′ Artists’ Tent, Little Mr & Miss Contest at 12:30, Train Ride 11-2, Fire Truck Rides at noon, Dunk Tank, Free Swim noon-4, Races 4, Concert 7:30, Fireworks when dark.

M

Independence Day Celebration
7/4/2011, 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Marlow, OK (Redbud Park)

The 2011 Independence Day Celebration will be kicked off with a parade at 9:15 a.m. Huge crowds gather each year to watch floats, horses, antique autos, antique tractors, Shriner’s Clowns, and every entry in between. All groups who would like to participate with their organizations are encouraged to be in the parade, and individual entries are welcome also.

The Parade leads to a full day of fun for the entire family in Redbud Park. The celebration offers arts and crafts, game booths, rides, and foods of all kinds. Crowds gather in the park all day and all evening for great entertainment. At 10:00 p.m., as the grand finale of the evening, one of the largest fireworks displays in southern Oklahoma is enjoyed by the crowd in Redbud Park, as well as from the backyards and cars of thousands.

Stars and Stripes Funfest
7/4/2011, 5 p.m.
McAlester, OK (Southeast Expo Center)

Come to McAlester’s Stars & Stripes Funfest to enjoy live entertainment, inflatable rides and games and the grand finale, a spectacular fireworks display at dusk.

Blackberry Festival
7/1/2011, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
McLoud, OK (Veterans Park)

McLoud’s annual Blackberry Festival is an old-fashioned festival that is one of the longest-running July 4th festivals in the state. Activities at this festival include a carnival, car show, poker run, tractor show, fireworks, children’s games, live music and much more. Browse through a variety of vendor booths, as well as a wide selection of handmade arts and crafts. Plenty of food vendors will also be set up to satisfy the hunger of festival-goers.

The Blackberry Festival will also feature a wide array of activities for children. Inflatables will be set up and a softball tournament will be held. Secure a spot on the sidelines for the festival’s parade on Saturday morning, and stick around to see which lucky lady is crowned as queen in the annual Blackberry Pageant.

4^th of July Fireworks Celebration
7/4/2011, 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Miami, OK (Riverview Park)

This fireworks extravaganza in Miami attracts spectators to Riverview Park for family fun, children’s games, food, live entertainment and spectacular fireworks.

4^th of July Celebration
7/4/2011, 6 p.m.
Midwest City, OK (Joe B. Barnes Regional Park)

Musical entertainment will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by a fireworks display, beginning at approximately 10:00 p.m.
No concessions will be provided, so residents are encouraged to bring picnic dinners to enjoy during the evening. No alcohol is allowed in the park.

Art in the Park: A Celebration in the Heartland
7/3/2011 – 7/4/2011, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Moore, OK (Buck Thomas Memorial Park)

This 2-day event features a variety of craft vendors, musical entertainment, food vendors, carnival rides, Happy Train, Guitar Hero/ Wii/ Karaoke; Giant Sand Pit, Children’s Tent, with Stroytelling, and Performances for the kids. Open Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show Sunday July 3rd from 3pm-9pm.

Sunday July 3rd will feature the band Bad Monkey from 7pm- 10; Monday the 4th will feature Johnny Lee from 7pm until the fireworks begins. The festival will end with a spectacular fireworks display at dark on July 4th.

N

36th Annual Norman Day Celebration
7/4/2011, 4 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Norman, OK (Reaves Park)

Norman’s celebration of Independence Day begins at 4 p.m. with activities including moon bounces, pony rides and free watermelon.

Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. with the band Full Circle. At 7 p.m. the band Mama Sweet takes stage and plays ’til the fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Randy Rogers with Wade Bowen
7/3/2011, 7 p.m.
Norman, OK (Riverwind Casino)

Admission: Premium $10, VIP $15 Platinum- $20

Red dirt scene favorites Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen will be celebrating Independence Day weekend at Riverwind Casino with an acoustic show on July 3 in the Showplace Theatre. Then, enjoy fireworks after the show in the west parking lot.

Independence Day Wild Turkey Fest
7/4/2011, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Nowata, OK (Jack Gordon Park)

The Independence Day Wild Turkey Fest is a family fun event that features a wild turkey drop, turtle races, food, a watermelon feed, silent auction, games, entertainment and more. Make sure to stick around for the live music show, ending with a fireworks display at dusk. Bring your lawn chairs and prepare to celebrate the 4th of July in Nowata. Purchase a hamburger, hot dog or a cup of homemade ice cream and secure your spot for one of the best fireworks shows around.

O

Crystal Bridge to Offer Free Admission
7/4/2011 , 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Oklahoma City, OK (Myriad Botanical Gardens)

The Myriad Botanical Gardens’ Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory will offer FREE admission to all guests on Monday, July 4 in celebration of Independence Day.

OKC Redhawks vs. Iowa (Fireworks after the game)
7/4/2011, 7:05 p.m.
Oklahoma City, OK (Redhawks Ballpark)

After the July 4, 2011 game, there will be a Fireworks Show

Red, White & Boom!
7/3/2011, 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Oklahoma City, OK (Bricktown)

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Maestro Joel Levine are proud to present the fourth annual “Red, White, & Boom! Concert and Fireworks Spectacular” starring Sandi Patty.

This concert is free to the public and celebrates Independence Day with food, fireworks, music, and fun. Bring the family and the lawn chairs for an evening of music under the stars. Grammy Award-winner Sandi Patty joins Joel Levine and the Orchestra for a performance of Patriotic Pops including a vast selection of favorites including “The Start-Spangled Banner,” “Armed Forces Salute,” and “God Bless the U.S.A.”

P

Watermelon Seed Spittin’ World Championship
7/4/2011, 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Pauls Valley, OK (Wacker Park Football Stadium)

This Independence Day, Pauls Valley will celebrate with a nationally-renowned watermelon seed-spitting contest, family events and firework displays.

Come and witness participants in six age-based categories attempt to break the record of Jack Dietz of Chicago. Dietz launched a seed 66 feet 11 inches in 1989. Registration begins at 6pm in the football stadium at Waker Park. Registration and admission to the event is free, but space is limited for contestants so be sure to be on time to sign up.

Fireworks Extravaganza and 4^th of July Celebration
7/4/2011, All Day
Pauls Valley, OK (Wacker Park)

Celebrate Independence Day in Pauls Valley with games, food, a watermelon seed spitting contest and a must-see fireworks display at dusk. Get together with family and friends to enjoy a wealth of July 4th festivities, and make sure to bring the kids for inflatables set up on Main Street in downtown Pauls Valley. Visitors to this Independence Day celebration will also enjoy live music, a talent show and a spectacular fireworks show at dusk. Grab a hamburger or hot dog and secure a prime seat for the fireworks, accompanied by patriotic music and typically lasting a full 45 minutes.

Freedom Celebration Parade
7/4/2011, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pawhuska, OK

Bring the family to Pawhuska this Independence Day for the city’s festive Freedom Celebration Parade. This patriotic, non-motorized parade is perfect for kids, families, veterans and even pets. Starting from the downtown area, parade participants will march through Pawhuska to the delight of visitors. Come to the Freedom Celebration Parade on the 4th of July and enjoy free hot dogs, balloons, flags, watermelon and plenty of prizes.

July 4^th Games
7/4/2011, 8 a.m.
Pawnee, OK (Courthouse Square)

Come to Pawnee and celebrate the 4th of July with these annual games held on the lawn of the Pawnee County Courthouse. Don’t miss this year’s thundering reptilians in the annual turtle race and don’t miss organized pandemonium as eggs and boots get tossed, shoes pitched, and water balloons heaved over volleyball nets as kids dig for coins, hop around in sacks and participants tussle along a rope during tug-of-war.

Bring the little ones for tricycle races, or challenge the locals to a bubble gum blowing contest, open to all ages. The delightful chaos of Pawnee’s July 4th Games will be broken at 10am, when children are invited to help raise the American flag in honor and celebration of the nation. Turtle race registration begins around 8am, with other events to follow. Plan to stay downtown during the games and have a bite to eat at one of the area restaurants. Stick around for the annual parade at noon. A fireworks display will be held at Pawnee Lake after the festivities once the sun sets.

Freedom Fest Fireworks
7/4/2011, 9:50 p.m.
Ponca City, OK (Lake Ponca)

Celebrate America
7/4/2011, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Poteau, OK

Bring the family and join the citizens of Poteau for an evening of fun, food and fireworks. Event includes games and activities for the whole family, live music, face painting, prizes and a huge, city-sponsored fireworks display. Enjoy music all evening beginning at 6pm, featuring local bands. Hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy will all be available for purchase.

Bring your lawn chairs and be prepared to stay until after dark when the sky will light up with a spectacular fireworks display. Beautiful fireworks will explode above the city while patriotic music plays in the background.

S

FireLake Grand Fireworks Spectacular
7/4/2011, 7 p.m.
Shawnee, OK (FireLake Grand Casino)

Big July 4th celebration with live music, fireworks and prizes. The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m.!

Boomer Blast
7/2/2011 – 7/3/2011, 10 a.m.
Stillwater, OK (Boomer Lake & Park)

In addition to the traditional fireworks show at dusk, Boomer Blast will feature wakeboard and wake-skate competitions at Boomer Lake Park. Boomer Blast is a great family-friendly event, showcasing tricks, flips and wipeouts on the lake, as well as fair food, live entertainment, inflatables for the kids and more. Inflatables typically include a tropical waterslide, inflatable jousting and a 68-ft inflatable obstacle course.

Come to Boomer Blast and register for the wakeboarding contests for some cool 4th of July fun. Participants must bring their own wakeboard. Divisions of competition include all skill levels, from 13 and under categories to amateur-professionals. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. Spectators are encouraged and are guaranteed to see some great, entertaining runs from the wakeboarders on Boomer Lake.

Boomer Blast will also feature a variety of food vendors. Come to this event and feast on traditional 4th of July fare such as cotton candy, snow cones, caramel apples, kettle corn, barbecue ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers and more. Saturday at dusk, a free outdoor movie will be presented for families on the west side of the lake. Stick around for the fireworks display.

Old Fashioned 4^th of July Festival and Parade
7/2/2011, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tishomingo, OK

This Independence Day celebration features a countywide talent contest, domino tournament, patriotic decorated bed races, watermelon seed spitting contest, apple pie contest, live music and a fireworks display. Come to Tishomingo’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Festival & Parade, secure your spot along Main Street for the annual parade, and then follow festival-goers over to Pennington Park for booths filled with arts and crafts, a bubble blowing contest, perch derby in Pennington Creek, turtle races and more. Visitors to this event will also enjoy a flag salute, patriotic music, sack races and plenty of food vendors selling yummy festival food.

4^th of July Fireworks Display
7/2/2011, 9 p.m.
Tishomingo, OK (Murray State College)

This traditional fireworks display, held at Murray State College in Tishomingo, will begin at dark on S. Boyd Street. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, point your gaze skyward and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display set to patriotic music.

Boom in the Valley Fireworks Spectacular
7/1/2011, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Talihina, OK

Make your way to Talihina for the Boom in the Valley Fireworks Spectacular. Celebrate the 4th of July with a fireworks display, live entertainment, children’s activities, arts and crafts, quilt vendors and more. Bring the kids for a waterslide, enjoy live music and feast on hamburgers, Indian tacos, snow cones, cotton candy and more. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the fireworks at dusk. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Parking is permitted in designated areas only.

Tulsa Drillers vs. San Antonio
7/3/2011 – 7/5/2011, 7:05 p.m.
Tulsa, OK (ONEOK Field)

Fireworks after the game on July 4

Tulsa FreedomFest
7/4/2011, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Tulsa, OK (Tulsa River Parks)

Tulsa’s much-anticipated FreedomFest includes endless entertainment, a variety of activities and tasty concessions. A Tulsa tradition since 1976, FreedomFest is known for featuring one of Oklahoma’s largest free fireworks displays and live music on three entertainment locations along the Arkansas River. Join the crowds at Tulsa’s River Parks and line the banks of the Arkansas River with lawn chairs and picnic baskets and wait for the show start.

Arrive early to Tulsa FreedomFest to enjoy inflatables for the kids, face painting, beverage and food vendors, old-fashioned family picnics and a bicycle parade. Past activity epicenters include River West Festival Park, Veterans Park and Elwood’s Cafe. At nightfall, turn your gaze skyward and be amazed as hundreds of fireworks choreographed to patriotic music are launched from the 21st Street Bridge.

July 4^th Fireworks Celebration
7/4/2011, 9:30 p.m.
Vian, OK (Tenkiller State Park)

Come to beautiful Tenkiller State Park, situated along the shores of Lake Tenkiller, for the park’s annual July 4th Fireworks Celebration. As soon as the sun sets, the sky will light up with a spectacular display of fireworks. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the view as the fireworks are reflected off the calm waters of the lake. This event will be hosted by the Greater Tenkiller Area Association.

4^th of July Jubilee
7/4/2011, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Waynoka, OK

This 4th of July Celebration starts at 6 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds. There will be lots of fun games for adults and kids…like turtle races, tug-o-war, stick horse races and more! We’ll have entertainment, a free hotdog feed, a kids talent show and fireworks!

Independence Day Celebration
7/4/2011, All day
Woodward, OK (Crystal Beach Park)

The Woodward Ambucs will be hosting the 4th of July Fun in the Park. Foot races, Human wheelbarrel, three legged race ending with the turtle races. Ribbons and trophies awarded. Fireworks will conclude the Independence Day Celebration.

Y

Freedom Fest – Yukon’s Tribute to Veterans
7/3/2011, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Yukon, OK (Chisholm Trail Park)

Patriotic celebration honoring all veterans, but highlighting a special tribute to our local Yukon veterans. Mike Black and the Stingrays will present a free rock and roll concert from 5 to 7:45 pm. Irv Wagner’s Concert Band will present a patriotic brass program beginning at 8:15 pm. A fireworks show will begin at 10 pm and conclude the evening’s activities. The fireworks show is FREE and OPEN to the public.

Freedom Fest
7/4/2011, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Yukon, OK (Yukon City Park & Chisholm Trail Park)

Events include the Freedom Fest Car Show, a children’s parade, children’s “best decorated bicycle” contest, children’s crafts tents, family fun relays and games.

City Splash will be open for free swimming from 12 to 6 pm. The United Freestyle Stunt Team will perform BMX stunts shows at 12, 2 and 4 pm.

Events return to Chisholm Trail Park at 5 pm with the Rodeo Opry Show from 5 to 7:30 pm. Free watermelon and ice cream will be served at 6 pm on the east side of the park. A hot dog eating contest begins at 8 pm at the Rodeo Opry Stage.

The Freedom Fest 2011 Grand Finale begins at 8:30 pm as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents a concert.

——

Visit wimgo.com for all details. Have fun & Happy 4th of July!

-Wendy with Wimgo

Major thanks to Darla L. for helping to put this list together.

I’m back after 8 weeks of maternity leave and picking up right where I left off…with the best events happening around Tulsa!

The Scarlet Letter is this Monday through Saturday at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. This stripped-bare stage version of one of the best American novels ever written makes for a raw and exhilarating theatrical experience and tickets are just $15. Also at the Performing Arts Center this weekend don’t miss the All-State Honor Band, Chorus & Instrumental Concerts. Tickets for these shows are only $9.

Is John Cena a part of the WWE Smackdown gang? If so…you know you wanna go see him and all of your favorite Smackdown superstars (including Edge, Kane, Jack Swagger and The Divas) this Tuesday night at the BOK Center. Tickets are available for $15. Sounds exciting! Also at the BOK Center this weekend the Tulsa Oilers hockey team hosts Laredo and don’t miss the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters this Saturday night for $18.

As always, lots of concerts to look forward to this week at Cain’s Ballroom including Railroad Earth on Wednesday, Candy Coburn on Thursday, That 1 Guy & the Magic Pipe on Friday and Cody Canada & The Departed on Saturday night.

Other events to put on your calendar include comedian and Emmy award winner Kathy Griffin at the Brady Theater, the Tulsa World Invitational Gymnastics Meet at the Spiritbank Event Center all weekend long and three-time Grammy award winner Johnny Mathis at the Mabee Center.

Of course you can visit wimgo.com for details on these events and for lots of other stuff happening around the state.

Enjoy!
-Wendy with Wimgo

Hi everyone! Remember me? I’ve been out on maternity leave for the past 8 weeks but now I’m back with events to check out this week. Get excited!

The Color Purple is an American novel that has been adapted into film and musicals for the past three decades and focuses on an African American woman living in Georgia in the 1930s. Go see this Broadway phenomenon Tuesday through Thursday at the Civic Center Music Hall.

I have to be honest; I didn’t really know anything about Kathy Griffin except that she had a lot of plastic surgery. But after a bit of research I now know that she’s an Emmy award winner and will be at the Civic Center Music Hall this Friday night. Tickets for the adult-only show start at just $49.

Irish folks sure know how to dance and this weekend they prove it when Riverdance, the celebration of Irish music, song and dance comes to the Rose State Performing Arts Center. Catch one of the six outstanding performances for just $37.50.

Country music fans – this is the second week in a row that an Oklahoma native and all-around awesome singer comes back to their home state to perform. That’s right! Okie and Grammy award winner, Vince Gill, will be at Riverwind Casino in Norman this Friday night and tickets are $68.

For an additional dose of music, hit up the Wormy Dog Saloon on Friday night to see Junior Brown or Saturday night for a performance by Micky and the Motorcars.

There’s also tons of stuff to check out this weekend at State Fair Park, including events such as the Oklahoma Home and Garden Show (click here for $3 off admission), a Gun, Knife & Outdoor Show and the admission free Wilson’s Arts and Crafts Show.

And if you’re looking for some sports action, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the New York Knicks this Saturday night and the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters will entertain crowds on Sunday. Both events take place at The Oklahoma City Arena.

As always, visit wimgo.com for details on these events and a lot of other stuff happening around the state.

Have fun!
Wendy with Wimgo

Hey Oklahoma City! I’m back again with events you won’t want to miss this week.

Shrek the Musical, which is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage this Tuesday through Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, Shrek the Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and fun for everyone! Get tickets now starting at just $20.

This Tuesday night, Straight No Chaser, will be performing at the Rose State Performing Arts Theater. Also, don’t miss Wade Bowen this Friday night at the Wormy Dog Saloon in Bricktown and legendary country musician, Merle Haggard, will be at Firelake Grand Casino this Saturday night.

Cheer on Oklahoma City’s AHL team, the Barons, this Tuesday night when they host San Antonio and also on Friday night versus the Chicago Wolves. The games are played at the Cox Convention Center and single game tickets start at $14.

On Thursday night global comedy phenomenon, Jeff Dunham will entertain crowds at the Oklahoma City Arena. The comedian, who’s one of the top-grossing live comedy acts in the world, continues to sell-out venues for his “Identity Crisis Tour”. Tickets are available online or at the box office starting at $43.50.

The Oklahoma Sooners are home this Saturday and host Texas Tech in Norman. Cheer on the Sooners and head down to Campus Corner before the game to check out gameday live and visit the Oklahoma Lottery booth for your chance to win $5,000.

Cheer on the Oklahoma City Thunder this Friday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers and this Sunday when they host the San Antonio Spurs. Tickets to sit in Loud City start at just $10.

Have a great week!

-Wendy with wimgo

Anyone out there familiar with the lyrics “Chickity China the Chinese chicken, Have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin’”? If so, have I got a deal for you!

Thanks to our friends at DFC Concerts, Wimgo has 20 pair of tickets up for grabs for the Barenaked Ladies concert on Tuesday, November 2, at the Diamond Ballroom! Also, 3 VIP winners will be chosen! These winners will get closer seating as well as the chance to participate in a meet and greet at 8 p.m.

Interested? You must be since you’re still reading.

Anyway, to enter for your chance a pair of tickets simply leave a comment below.

Also, you can join in on the Twitter contest by following @wimgo_OKC on Twitter and retweeting the following message: “RT & follow @wimgo_OKC for your chance to win 2 tix to see the Barenaked Ladies at the Diamond Ballroom on 11/2!”

That’s it! Winners will be randomly selected and contacted on Monday, November 1.

Tell your friends, yo.

-Wendy with wimgo

Great events to check out this week around OKC include:

American Idol winner and native Oklahoman, Carrie Underwood, will be at the Ford Center this Wednesday night. Don’t miss this “Entertainer of the Year”, who will be performing along with Billy Currington. Tickets can still be purchased for just $33.50. Or, if you aren’t in the mood for country music, go see Papa Roach and Skillet on Wednesday night at the Diamond Ballroom or Tony Bennett this Friday night at Riverwind Casino.

There are several events in the theater this week, including Reduxion Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth at the City Arts Center Theater, the Rocky Horror Show at Lyric on the Plaza and Dracula at the Jewel Box Theatre. Tickets prices and links can be found on wimgo.

Cheer on the OKC Thunder this Thursday night when they host the New Orleans Hornets for the final preseason game. Tickets start at $10 and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ford Center. The Oklahoma City Barons are also home this week on Tuesday and Friday night at the Cox Convention Center.

Ladies – this one’s for you. Don’t miss one of the biggest shopping events around, An Affair of the Heart, this Friday through Sunday at State Fair Park. Admission is only $6. Other events to check out include Built to Spill at the Diamond Ballroom on Sunday and the Bleu Edmondson CD release party at the Wormy Dog Saloon, also on Sunday.

If you’ve been wanting a pet, now is the time to get one! Don’t miss the Midnight Woofness this Friday through Sunday. In this event, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society has a goal to have 400 pets adopted in 48 hours! There will also be face painting for kids, goodies for the pets and lots of fun for the people. Go and find a new companion and help save pets’ lives!

Did I miss anyhing? Let me know & have a great week!

-Wendy with wimgo

The weather is lovely so I truly hope you have the chance to get out enjoy some of these activities in the Tulsa area this week!

This is the last week for the Tulsa State Fair. Concerts this week include Jamey Johnson this Tuesday, Rick Springfield on Thursday, country star Clay Walker on Friday and the Eli Young Band on Saturday. Other activities include competitive exhibits and agricultural events, rides and games, and a lot of great kids activities. Search ‘Tulsa State Fair’ on wimgo for even more events.

Musical events happening around Tulsa this week include Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Martin Sexton and The Black Keys all at Cain’s Ballroom and native Oklahoman and American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood at the BOK Center on Sunday. Also, there’s a very interesting performance this Friday at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center with Trace Bundy, who’s an “acoustic ninja”. Check it out for only $24.

Other Tulsa Performing Arts Center events include the Tulsa Opera: La Traviata on Saturday, Bug starting this Thursday and Gita Govinda at the John H. Williams Theatre on Saturday.

As you know Halloween is the end of this month. To get you in the spirit, don’t miss Oklahoma’s 8^th Annual Goth Prom this Saturday night at The Marquee and all of the haunted houses, pumpkin patches and other festivals in the area.

Have a great week everyone!
-Wendy with wimgo

Seriously. There are a million events happening this week in the Oklahoma City area. Okay, I may be exaggerating just a teensy tiny bit, but there’s so much to do this week that I double-dog- dare you to try and do just a third of the events. Just try.

Okay, first up is a mondo dose of live music. Check out Drew Andrews and the Spectral Cities at The Conservatory on Tuesday, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at The Opolis on Wednesday, Suicide Silence at the Diamond Ballroom on Friday night and The Toasters, The Paper Flowers and Classy San Diego at The Conservatory on Sunday. English rockers, Muse, will be at the Ford Center this Friday night (tickets are still available for $43) and don’t miss Sugarland and Little Big Town at the Zoo Amphitheater on Thursday or the Randy Rogers Band at the Wormy Dog Saloon on Saturday night for some good-ole country music. Check out wimgo for links to buy tickets.

The Oklahoma River has quickly become one of Oklahoma City’s main attractions with Olympic qualifying events and celebrations, international competitions, river cruises and more. This Wednesday celebrate the opening of the Devon Boathouse at the blū Party. The event has live entertainment, food, wine tasting and cruises down the river and proceeds benefit youth outreach and athlete development programs. Another event on the Oklahoma River is the Oklahoma Regatta Festival this Thursday through Sunday where more than 1,000 rowers from across the country will compete. The festival includes an art show, food booths, live music, a children’s area with inflatables, a wine garden, and more.

I’m a master procrastinator. I usually finish my Christmas shopping around December 23. If that sounds like you, try to make a change this year and head out to the Mistletoe Market at State Fair Park this weekend. The three-day holiday shopping extravaganza features unique merchandise from more than 100 vendors from Oklahoma and across the country. Here you can shop for clothing, gourmet foods, gifts, children’s items, jewelry and more. Now…just to find time to wrap those darn gifts!

Other events at State Fair Park include Buchanan’s Vintage Flea Market this Saturday and Sunday and the OKC Gun Show on Saturday and Sunday as well.

The weather looks nothing short of blissful this weekend, so don’t miss The Plaza District Festival this Saturday and Sunday. This annual art event highlights a wide array of local performing artists, visual artists, musicians and provides interactive art education for the community. Another festival is the Deep Deuce Music Festival on Saturday. The free public concert will feature over 10 local bands of all music genres on 2 performance stages.

Hockey fans – get excited! The Oklahoma City Barons have their home opener on Saturday at the Cox Convention Center versus the Houston Aeros. Don’t miss the chance to see the brand new team and the newly renovated Cox Convention Center. Single game tickets are just $14 and season tickets are still available. The Barons are also home on Sunday to host Chicago.

Check out August: Osage County at the Civic Center Music Hall this Saturday for $25. This play has won numerous awards including the Pulitzer Prize and was named Best Play of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly. Also, join Conductor Matt Troy and Phil the Penguin at the Civic Center Music Hall as they take the whole family on a musical journey through exotic animal kingdoms this Sunday with Safari Symphony.  And don’t miss Music, Mystery and Melody at the Civic Center on Saturday with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Stretch out those muscles and put on your running shoes! This Saturday you have a chance to participate in a local amazing race called Millionaire 4 a Day. Lots of prizes are up for grabs and even if you don’t win big, the event finishes up at Iguana Mexican Grill for a concert with Aranda and food and drink from 9^th street businesses which is a pretty sweet ending to the day.

Head down to Norman for the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art this Friday night. This event is for all the art lovers out there – ride the CART around Norman for only $2 and be dropped off at all of the local galleries.

You probably know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It seems everyone knows someone affected by this disease and we all know how important early detection is. If you want to help make a difference, don’t miss Race for the Cure this Saturday morning at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Events include the Race and 1-mile Family Fun walk and a McDonald’s Kids Dash as well as a survivor ceremony.

Have a great week and let me know what’s on your agenda!

-Wendy with wimgo

Hey Tulsa friends! Although it’s still scorching outside, Fall will officially be there later this week. Here are several events if you’re looking to get out of the house this week!

Go see Canadian rockers, Rush, at the BOK Center this Tuesday night. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online for $49.50. Or, if psychedelic rock is more your style, Sleepy Sun will be performing at Cain’s Ballroom, also on Tuesday. As if that’s not enough, live music for you, there are several other concerts for you to choose from this week, including O.A.R. at Cain’s on Thursday and the Smashing Pumpkins at Cain’s on Friday and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the BOK Center Thursday evening.

Make your stomach happy at the 13th Annual Art of Barbeque held at ONEOK Field this Friday and Saturday. The event features a world-class barbeque cook-off contest with a Grand Champion selected to represent Oklahoma in the National Championship Cook-off in Kansas City.

The Celtic Fiddle Festival will be held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center – John Williams Theatre this Friday. Tickets to see the ensemble, which is now one of the most popular on the Celtic circuit, are just $28. Tulsa Ballet’s production of Swan Lake, which was written by Tchaikovsky, is at the Chapman Music Hall all weekend long. Tickets to see this 100 year old ballet are only $20.

If the ballet and theater aren’t your thing, check out T-Town Drags, which is a motorcycle drag race, at Tulsa Raceway park on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy these events!
-Wendy with wimgo

Hey fellow Oklahomans! Fall officially starts this week and with it comes a lot of great events and activities in the Sooner state. Here are a few of my top picks…

This is the last week of the Oklahoma State Fair. Check out fun events all week long including Disney on Ice, TNA Wrestling Live on Thursday and a long list of concerts with artists like McHammer, Matt Morris and, Bulls & Brawn featuring Josh Turner and 8 Second Ride featuring Jake Owen. Also, make your own music at the Okie Karaoke Contest and don’t miss the all of the wild-west shows at 14 Flags Plaza. Check out my State Fair blog post for a complete list of events and activities.

This Tuesday, take your kids to see Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live! at the Civic Center Music Hall Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets are just $20 to see characters from Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, and other top-rated TV shows. Also, don’t miss Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, which is National Public Radio’s wacky approach to the week’s news and newsmakers at the Civic Center Music Hall this Thursday at 7:30.

Also this Tuesday, the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark is host to the Triple A Baseball Championship where the Tacoma Rainiers will take on the Columbus Clippers and tickets are just $7.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to make a difference in the community this week. First of all, don’t miss the  Regional Food Bank’s Fashion for Food Fashion Show this Saturday evening hosted by Project Runway famed fashion designer Johnathan Kayne. Proceeds from the fashion show, silent auction, wine pull and raffle will go toward the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids program. Next, the Oklahoma Run to Defeat Diabetes is this Saturday on the University of Oklahoma Campus. All proceeds from this event benefit the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center. Finally, if you’re in Edmond, participate in the Edmond CROP Hunger Walk at Mitch Park on Sunday. Money raised at this year’s event will go directly to the Hope Center, Breakfast on Boulevard, Samaritan House and Edmond Mobile Meals.

The ONE Party in Norman is the place to be this Thursday evening. The Mission of ONE is to Celebrate and Showcase the organizations tied to the Norman Arts Council while raising funds to elevate this impact in the Norman community. Tickets are just $40 and can be purchased at all Norman Republic Bank locations.

If you’re in the mood for a bit of live thrash metal music (and who isn’t?!) go see Anthrax at the Diamond Ballroom on Thursday evening for $19. Or, if you’re not feelin’ thrash metal… check out other live music happening around OKC this week including Green Corn Revival CD Release Party with Siren, Ali Harter and Little League Hero at The Opolis on Friday, Umphrey’s McGee at Diamond Ballroom on Saturday and The Pretty Black Chains CD Release on Saturday at The Conservatory.

Don’t forget to login with Facebook so your friends can see what events you like and recommend. Have a great week!

-Wendy with wimgo