Food trucks, firework shows and concerts are usually a common site on the Fourth of July in the Oklahoma City metro area, but some large Independence Day celebrations this year have been scaled back or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This includes the City of Norman’s “Fourth of July Celebration” at Reaves Park which was canceled. Jason Olsen, recreation superintendent for the City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department, said the event usually attracts up to 15,000 attendees.
“It's better to be safe than sorry and have an event where we’re putting people in danger where they could get sick.” Olsen said. “We just don't feel good about taking that risk at this point.”
He said the city considered having the firework display so people could watch it from their cars, but it just didn't feel right. An important part of the experience is gathering with friends and listening to the music that accompanies the show.
“It’s unfortunate, and it’s sad,” Olsen said. “And hopefully in a short time frame or soon, we can get people together and start celebrating or redoing our old traditions that we have here in Norman.”
The city hopes to reschedule the event for Labor Day in September.
“OKC Fourth Fest” is also looking into holding its celebration on Labor Day. In the past, the event has attracted up to 100,000 people in the Bricktown area alone. Jeff Kretchmar, chief operating officer of the event management company Prodigal in OKC, said the decision was made to cancel the celebration since it would be hard to maintain social distancing.
Some Fourth of July celebration organizers in the metro have decided to continue this year, but the events will be scaled back and safety protocols will be implemented. One is the City of Yukon’s “Freedom Fest” at Chisholm Trail Park on July 3 and 4. The event will feature a car show, performances from acts like the rock group The Hi-Fi Hillbillies, firework shows both nights and a tribute to veterans. Jenna Roberson, public information officer for the City of Yukon, said some activities were eliminated in an effort to promote social distancing, such as a children’s parade and obstacle courses.
“It’s so important for us to stay healthy, but I also think that whenever it comes to mental health, we do need to have some sense of normalcy,” Roberson said. “So even though it will look a little different this year, we hope that people will still enjoy the fireworks, still enjoy the concerts and just have a good time.”
Additional Fourth of July events still taking place in the metro are the City of Moore’s “A Celebration in the Heartland” at Buck Thomas Park. The celebration will include musical performances, fireworks and a car show. The city will take safety precautions like further spacing out vendors and routinely sanitizing restroom facilities. Kasey Dean, special event coordinator for the City of Moore, said organizers are expecting larger crowds this year due to other Fourth of July event cancellations.
The City of Midwest City will also hold its “Tribute to Liberty” celebration at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park which will feature food trucks, games, fireworks, a recognition of graduating seniors and live entertainment from acts like Irv Wagner’s Concert Band.
The organizers of these events are encouraging attendees to frequently sanitize their hands, social distance and wear masks.
Other areas across the state are also holding Fourth of July celebrations like Blanchard, Choctaw, Enid, Lawton, McAlester and Shawnee.
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