Weekly Events Calendar: July 1-7, 2024

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

By Ben Luschen
There are other types of events going on in Oklahoma this week, but far and away the biggest thing going on in the state right now are all the many Independence Day celebrations going on all over. Pretty much every town of a certain size has something going on, and a lot of them are unique in their own way. Certain kinds of people are looking for certain qualities in their July 4th event of choice, so allow me to make a few suggestions that fit into specific categories. Assume all the events happen on the date of July 4 unless otherwise noted.

If fireworks are your primary concern, well, there are a ton of options. In Stillwater, check out the Boomer Blast at Boomer Lake around 9:30 pm. The Tonkawa Fourth of July Celebration sets off its fireworks at 9:45 pm over Blinn Park. Catch the Grand Lake Fireworks at dusk on July 5 at the Grand River Dam in Disney. And one of the largest free fireworks display in the state takes place at Tulsa Freedomfest at River Parks, with the pyrotechnics scheduled to begin around 9:30 pm. And if you hope to get rich selling tickets to a non-free fireworks display, well, I have some bad news about how fireworks work.

Some people are all about parades, so for them I recommend checking out the Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration in Marlow, where they’ll have a parade along Main Street with floats, horses, vintage cars, clowns, the whole works. Another good option is the Calvin 4th of July Celebration. Their parade also starts downtown at 10 am.

Maybe you’re feeling some live music on the big day. Your best options there are Oklahoma City’s Red, White, & Boom at Scissortail Park, where the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will be performing a free outdoor concert starting at 8:30 p.m. There’s also the Tribute to Liberty in Midwest City, which will feature performances from Andrews Sisters and The Wise Guys starting 7:00 p.m. at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park.

And finally, it wouldn’t be a celebration of American without food. A Celebration in the Heartland at Moore’s Buck Thomas park will feature appearances from fan-favorite food trucks like Chef Ray's Street Eats, Dos Gringos Cabana, Yum Pig, and HTeaO. I also have to mention the two-day Laverne 4th of July Celebration, which features a hot wing eating contest on July 3 and a free barbecue dinner from 5-7 pm on the big day at Laverne Municipal Park.
We’d need a whole other event calendar to fit contact information for all the July 4th events going on around the state, but for all the information you seek head to TravelOK.com.

Tulsa's FreedomFest on the River is just one of dozens of Independence Day celebrations taking place across the state this week. Photo courtesy Bob Stone / Tulsa FreedomFest

By Ben Luschen
As the old ad goes, nothing says America like baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet. At least two of those things will be in play this week during the Oklahoma City Baseball Club’s homestand against the Las Vegas Aviators. The first game of the series takes place on, of course, July 4th at 7:05 p.m. Win or lose, expect the game to end with the unofficial fifth symbol of America: fireworks. There is no need to worry if you already have Independence Day plans, because subsequent games in the series will take place July 5 and 6, both also at 7:05 p.m. To order tickets, visit milb.com/oklahoma-city
July 4-6. Tickets, $16-$40. milb.com/oklahoma-city.

The Oklahoma City Baseball Club celebrates July 4 with a three-game homestand against the Las Vegas Aviators. Photo courtesy Oklahoma City Baseball Club

By Kiersten Stone
Saddle up and get ready see some of the finest riders in America as they’ll be in Tulsa July 5-12. The Pony of the Americas National Congress will be taking place at the Tulsa Expo Center. Throughout the event, there is set to be a number of equestrian activities, such as timed events, jumping, bareback riding, and barrel racing. For more information, call (317) 788-0107.
June 5-12. Admission, free. poac.org

By Megan Rossman
Humans are the most competitive of Earth’s animal species. Whether we’re playing games, making business deals, or even waging wars, people seem to enjoy engaging in both small and large-scale battles. On July 5, 6, and 7, spectators can witness a battle that’s fun for the whole family at Stigler Showdown Boat Racing. In this southeastern Oklahoma town, hydroplane boats will cut across the waters of Lake John Wells at speeds reaching up to ninety miles per hour. Naturally, there also will be food vendors onsite competing for your business. For more information, visit stiglerok.net.
July 5-7. Admission, free. facebook.com/racenbra.net

Hydroplane racers go head-to-head in the thrilling Stigler Showdown Boat Races at Lake John Wells. Photo courtesy Dale Jackson / Lake Striker Resort

By Nathan Gunter
Rodeo is one of those sports that I’m amazed anyone does at all. Don’t get me wrong: I love, love, love a rodeo. When I was a kid, I used to ride my bike down to the rodeo grounds near my house to watch the SWOSU team practice. But it’s so, so hard on the body and such a huge physical challenge, I’m in awe of anyone who participates.
So I’m prepared to be even more awed July 7 through 12 when the annual International Youth Finals Rodeo comes to the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee. This longstanding Oklahoma tradition brings youth competitors from all over the country to watch barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding performed by YOUTHS! It’ll be amazing! Add to that the Western trade show that’ll take over the rest of the expo center, and you’ve got the perfect way to start cowboying up. For tickets or more information, call (405) 275-9780.
July 7-12. Tickets, $6-$110. ifyr.com

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.