Untangle your kites, free up your weekend, and put on some red, white and blue. Edmond LibertyFest 2016 is right around the corner.
The Fourth of July festival begins Saturday, June 25 and ends with a kaleidoscopic finale of fireworks on Monday, July 4. Events will take place over four days. LibertyFest hosts a medley of engaging events that are representative of Edmond and Oklahoma culture. Most activities are held within a few minutes of downtown Edmond and in local parks.
LibertyFest boasts the largest fireworks display in the metro. With an annual turn-out of over 125,000 attendees—this hometown festival draws people from across Oklahoma and beyond state lines.
The festival is the result of collaboration between Edmondites, the city of Edmond and the University of Central Oklahoma. It is an invitation for families and individuals to wander into the city and celebrate Independence Day as a colorful collective. Here is a line up of the events festival-goers will find at this year’s LibertyFest:
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Car Show
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. /Hafer Park
Rev off LibertyFest bright and early with numerous cars from over 20 classes at the 16th annual Car Show. Recall novelties of the past and explore the personalities of prized automobiles and enthusiasts alike as they cruise around the park. The show is free for spectators. Vehicle registrations are $15 in advance and $20 on the day.
KiteFest
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. /Mitch Park
The sky will be a mosaic of patterns and colors as kites take flight in Mitch Park. The KiteFest is free and open to fliers of all caliber. Experienced kiters will host master classes and synchronized flying shows, as well as a kite-centric silent auction. Weather and wind conditions permitting, kiters will reconvene after sundown for a night flight. Experts will attach lights to their kites and take over the sky with a spectacular light show.
Miss Edmond Scholarship Pageant
3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. /Edmond Santa Fe High School
Head over to Santa Fe High School after the park to support Edmond teens as they compete for the Miss Edmond LibertyFest title. Winners will gain sponsorship for the Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen pageants.
Rodeo
8:00 p.m. /Carl Benne Arena
Share the excitement of classic western style entertainment at the Rodeo. Events include bareback riding, bull riding, steer wresting and more. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
KiteFest
9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. /Mitch Park
Sunday’s KiteFest will be dedicated solely to flying. Employ lessons from Saturday’s master classes here. Build your own kite, or buy one and try your hand at flying.
Road Rally
11 a.m.-5:00 p.m. /Earl’s Ribs Palace
If you’re feeling shrewd and adventurous, test your quick wit while exploring Edmond with your friends and family in the Road Rally. The Rally is a scavenger hunt where teams are given questions and directions to find answers around the city, within a targeted time and mileage.
Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the first car will leave the restaurant at 11 a.m. The trophy will be presented at 5 p.m.
A Taste of Edmond
6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. /Festival Market Place
Satisfy your hunger after a day of sleuthing at this all-you-can-eat event. Downtown Edmond will be an agora of aroma and flavors from over 40 Edmond restaurant booths. Ticket holders may try dishes from all vendors at no additional charge.
Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $15 at the event and free for children under 10.
Rodeo
8:00 p.m. /Carl Benne Arena
If you weren’t able to make it Saturday, the Rodeo will be back on Sunday.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
Concert in the Park
7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
The Summer Band, comprised of local students and community members, will perform classic and modern fares to celebrate independence. Spend a cool evening with light marches and patriotic songs, followed by free watermelon and ice-cream. The location of the concert has yet to be announced.
MONDAY, JULY 4
Parade
9:00 a.m.
Start your July Fourth in downtown Edmond with UCO Paralympic Athletes and over 100 participants on the 1.5 mile parade route. The streets will be enlivened at Oklahoma’s largest hometown parade with bands, displays and watchers.
ParkFest at UCO
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. /UCO Campus
Preceding the Fireworks Show, UCO will host a fair bedecked with food and entertainment. Rides and games for children and toddlers will close at 9 p.m. Vendors will be open until 10 p.m.
Fireworks
9:30 p.m. /UCO Campus