Shimmer & Sparkle

Dear Fearless Homeowner,

Do you have a favorite type of firework? I find the kinds that explode into shapes to be very interesting, but I swoon over the shimmery ones that look like glitter across the sky.

I admit it, I’m a bit of a firework junkie. I attempt to enjoy as many fireworks as I can each Fourth of July...I lay out a schedule and make it to as many different shows as possible in the days leading up to the holiday. Yes, I might have a problem, and this year I’m going to share my problem with you by pulling together a list of all major fireworks shows in the metro area.

One interesting fireworks experience I will mention but not officially include on the list is “Beyond City Limits” shows. There’s nothing like driving down Waterloo (or other borderline streets) and watching a solid line of fireworks exploding from individual celebrations. If you choose to take in some of these shows up close, my only word of caution would be to not drive your nicest car. While some of the shows are in people’s backyards, other shows are put on by individuals who drive just across the city line and then start setting off fireworks in the middle of the street—Beware of flying rockets headed your way!

There is one annual fireworks display I will not encourage you to join. Each year (burn ban or no burn ban) one family who lives in the neighborhood behind our house enjoys their own illegal fireworks display. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against a backyard sparkler or two, but we’re talking full size mortars here! There’s nothing like arriving home the evening before Independence Day to find fire trucks lining your property after your neighbors have started a grassfire in your yard. Always ones to persevere, that incident doesn't deter the family from continuing to have their annual fireworks display feet away from our brown grass each summer.

But, on to the legal shows!

July 3rd

OKC: Red, White, & Boom will be held on July 3rd this year and will include a free concert from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. The concert starts at 8:30PM in Bricktown and concludes with a huge fireworks display.

July 4th

Edmond: LibertyFest is the place to be if you live in Edmond. The fireworks show originates from the UCO campus and begins at 10:00PM. This display is the biggest in the metro area and has been named one of the top ten shows by CNN and USA Today.

Yukon: The city’s Freedom Fest gives you another chance to listen to free music from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. The live concert will held at the Chisholm Trail Park and will culminate with fireworks.

Bethany: The 53rd annual Freedom Festival will be held at Eldon Lyon Park and includes fireworks at 9:55PM.

Midwest City: The fireworks display for Midwest City will be held at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park and is scheduled to begin shortly after 10:00PM

Other Shows

Frontier City will be shooting off fireworks on July 2nd, 3rd, & 4th as soon as it’s dark enough to enjoy the show, and don’t forget to check with your local neighborhood to see if they’re hosting a private show for you and your neighbors!

Enjoy all of the shimmer and sparkle that fills the Independence Day sky this year, and stay safe!

~Kristin

PS: Chris, if you’re reading this, one day I would really enjoy celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary with a huge fireworks display. Okay?