This Week

With unseasonably cool temperatures forecast through this week, we have a feeling this Independence Day is going to be extra spectacular. Towns across Oklahoma will have their annual July 4th gatherings, but here are a few of the big shows in the area that are worth watching and (in a few cases) listening to. On Wednesday, July 3, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic sets a patriotic scene with Red, White & Boom, a free outdoor concert at Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd., Oklahoma City. Concert is at 8:30 p.m. with guests Kristy Cates and Steve Blanchard. Fireworks set the night just right. Tulsa’s Signature Symphony brings out the American sound, too, with its annual 4th on the 3rd concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education at Tulsa Community College’s Southeast Campus, U.S. 169 and 81st Street South. Head west where veterans are honored during Yukon’s Freedom Fest on Wednesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 4, with dinners, concert bands, a parade, sand volleyball tournament, the OKC Phil, free watermelon and ice cream and a fireworks show and more from 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday. Chisholm Trail Park is located at 500 W. Vandament, Yukon.

The City of Edmond keeps up the good times with its famous LibertyFest celebration that continues through Thursday, July 4. One of the country’s top-rated Independence Day festivals (CNN and USA Today), Edmond’s holds its downtown parade (9 a.m.), ParkFest at UCO (6:30 p.m.) and fireworks show (10 p.m.) over the University of Central Oklahoma campus, Second Street and University Drive, Edmond, on Thursday, July 4.

Tulsa celebrates with the spectacular ONEOK Freedom Fest, a multi-venue day of activities for families and all. Look for the big family picnic, activities and music at Veterans Park, 1875 S. Boulder Ave., from noon-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. The children’s bicycle parade will be at 7 p.m. Across the Arkansas River, River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave., kicks-off a night of exciting events at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 4. Look for a rock-climbing wall, tethered hot-air balloon rides, children’s inflatable features and more. There will be remarks and the national anthem at 7 p.m. followed by live music from 7:30-9:30 p.m. by Something Steel with fireworks bringing in the finale from 9:30-10 p.m. Visit www.riverparks.org for information on parking and admission to the reserved Stars & Stripes Pavilion. You’ll also find plenty of music and fun in downtown Tulsa at the Guthrie Green, 111 E. Brady St., as the Starlight Band offers a musical Salute to America, 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, complete with patriotic songs, Sousa marches and a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Families and friends should bring blankets or lawn chairs and the pets for this evening that climaxes to a great view of fireworks set to go off over neighboring ONEOK Field following the Tulsa Drillers’ home game against San Antonio. Fireworks are also scheduled following baseball games on Wednesday, July 3, and Friday, July 5 (www.tulsadrillers.com).

Looking for more on July 4?

Spend some time on Grand Lake for the Arts, Crafts, Music & Cajun Festival with Jana Jae and her magic fiddle, a hearty helping of jambalaya and more on Thursday, July 4, in Grove (www.grandlakefestivals.com). Stillwater’s Boomer Blast brings fun to the lake with fireworks at dusk, fishing and water events leading up to them (www.stillwater.org). Jenks America Freedom Fest offers the Sooner Boomfest fireworks show over the Arkansas River along with bluegrass music and food and activities along Main Street, along the RiverWalk and at Oklahoma Aquarium (www.jenkschamber.com). Look north of Tulsa to Owasso’s Freedom Fest at Stone Canyon, 7500 N. 177th East Ave., the third annual festival at the community surrounding the Patriot golf course (www.stonecanyonliving.com). Finally, Bartlesville 4th of July Freedom Fest lights up the night in downtown Bartlesville with a kids’ patriotic parade, a talent contest, water spray and inflatable features, food vendors and more leading to a program honoring veterans and active duty persons in the U.S. Armed Forces that includes a fly-over by the 138th Fighter Wing. Fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. (www.bartlesvillefreedomfest.org).

Opens Wednesday, July 10

Every year the admiration and inspiration of Woody Guthrie breathes through the music of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. The famous festival returns to Guthrie’s birthplace for five days of music, poetry, children’s activities and more beginning Wednesday, July 10. Performances and events are shared between seven different venues throughout Okemah. Most of the musical performances can be seen at the Brickstreet Café (104 S. 2nd St.), Crystal Theatre (401 W. Broadway St.) and the Pastures of Plenty outdoor main stage (next to the Okfuskee County Historical Museum, 407 W. Broadway St.) from Wednesday, July 10-Sunday, July 14. Look for featured artists such as Sam Baker, John Fullbright and Damn Quails. Admission to the festival is free, but there will be a $15 parking fee at Pastures of Plenty.

Also of note, check out the Todd Snider concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., Tulsa. An unofficial “opener” for the Okemah festival, the event is presented by and benefits the Woody Guthrie Coalition, which organizes the festival. Tulsa musician Dustin Pittsley opens the show with tickets $15-$23. For more, go to www.woodyguthrie.com and www.cainsballroom.com.

Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 7

The Tulsa Crude Classic returns for its second year of softball, drinks and good times. This amateur softball tournament will be hosted by the Tulsa Metro Softball League at the Carl Smith Softball Complex, 17120 E. 21st St., in Tulsa. The TMSL, a league for the LGBT community and its friends in the Tulsa Metro area, was created to build understanding and friendships through the sport of softball. The 2013 Tulsa Crude Classic will be held from Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 7, at the Carl Smith Softball Complex, 17120 E. 21st St. On Saturday, July 6, at 9 a.m., the tournament begins teams in pool play followed by double elimination bracket play. Admission to the games is free. Beer will be available for sale at the James E. McNellies’s Beer Garden. The classic has even more in store with an opening party at the art bar Club 209, 209 N. Boulder Ave., on Friday at 7 p.m. For more, visit www.tulsacrudeclassic.com.

Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 6

One of the longest-running Fourth of July festivals in the state celebrates another successful harvest of sweet blackberries with a carnival, fireworks, children’s games, live music and more in McLoud’s Veterans Park, 215 S. Sixth St. The Blackberry Festival began in the 1940s, when the harvest celebration was combined with the town’s annual Fourth of July picnic – a McLoud tradition since 1895. Even though the Blackberry Growers Association disbanded in the 1960s, the town still celebrates each year with a big weekend drawing thousands of people. The festival will be in full swing Friday, July 5, from 5 p.m.-midnight and Saturday, July 6, 8 a.m.-midnight. On Saturday, the parade will begin at 10 a.m., and fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. Admission is free. For more, visit www.mcloudchamber.com.

This Week

The Oklahoma City RedHawks face the Albuquerque Isotopes for a third time this week at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 N. Mickey Mantle Drive, in downtown OKC. Not only do baseball fans get to take in one of the truly great American sports, but they also will be treated to something extra. The Triple-A affiliate to MLB’s Houston Astros will first attempt to displace the top-ranking Isotopes (tops in the American Southern Division, that is). Then the fireworks will begin. Two traditions meet at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Tickets start at $7. To order, call 405.218.1000 or go online at www.okcredhawks.com.

Also look for Independence Day happenings as the Tulsa Drillers square-off with the San Antonio Missions Wednesday, July 3-Friday, July 5. All games are at 7:05 p.m. at ONEOK Field, 201 N. Elgin Ave., Tulsa. Fireworks will be set all three nights following play. Admission is around $5-$15. Go online at www.tulsadrillers.com for more.

Closes Sunday, July 7

Sixteen years after it premiered on Broadway, the musical that awed the world with its visual effects continues to reign. Celebrity Attractions concludes its run of Disney’s The Lion King, a live stage experience based on the 1994 animated film, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. There are a handful of performances left before the final show at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 7. The musical directed by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor features the Oscar-winning song by Elton John and Tim Rice, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”  The Lion King has appeared in 63 cities in over a dozen countries, thrilling with its African rhythms and extravagant costumes bringing the African savannah to life in stage. Performances are in the Chapman Music Hall of the PAC, 101 E. Third St. Tickets are $35-$85. To see show times and to purchase tickets, visit www.myticketoffice.com online.

Friday, July 5, 8 p.m.

The beautiful and talented Beyoncé will be running the stage at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., in Oklahoma City. On Friday, July 5, “The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Only one year after the birth of her first child, the pop and R&B superstar is ready to take on Oklahoma. Beyoncé will perform her most famous hits like “Love on Top,” “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “If I Were a Boy.” Fans might even be lucky enough to hear some new tunes from her upcoming fifth studio album that is set to release this year. Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet and at www.ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $59.45-$283.45 plus fees, depending on the seating section. With 17 Grammy awards under her belt, this diva is sure to put on an amazing show! For more information, visit www.chesapeakearena.com.