Independence Day celebrations feature parades, contests, food fireworks

Jul. 2—Area churches and communities celebrate U.S. independence with contests, food and fireworks.

Timothy Baptist Church will host its Independence Celebration 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"It's a safe and fun place for Muskogee and the community to come together and celebrate the freedom we have," Associate Pastor Clay Payne said.

Church volunteers are preparing free food for 2,000 visitors, he said, including hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, brownies, and macaroni and cheese.

A Kids Zone will feature inflatables and games.

The rock cover band Reversing Radio will provide music. Fireworks start around dark.

Muskogee First Assembly's Freedom Celebration begins at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The church grounds will feature eight inflatables, including waterslides. Free glow sticks will be available for children.

Concessions including hotdogs, elote, popcorn, water and soft drinks will be available.

Fireworks begin immediately after dark.

Checotah will have an all-day festival Thursday at the town sports complex, said Checotah Finance Administrator Shawna Smith.

"And we keep it free for the family to enjoy," she said.

Festivities begin with a 5-kilometer run and a pancake breakfast.

Games continue through the day, they include a home-run derby, fishing derby, corn hole tournament, golf tournament and boat races.

"The boat races are cardboard boat races," she said. "You power them with the oars, there is no motor to them."

There also will be tractor pulls for adults, pedal pulls for youngsters and power-wheel races for youngsters.

Smith said lawnmower races are a popular event.

Shiloh and Going For Broke will perform at 7:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.

Wagoner's Fourth of July parade begins 11 a.m. Thursday at Maple Park said Kristen Mallett.

"The young ones decorate their bikes, four-wheelers, all those things, patriotically with balloons, and they go police escorted around the park," Mallett said. "And after that, they have a water balloon fight and a corn hole tournament."

People can swim for free from noon to 3 p.m. at the water park.

Gates open at 7 p.m. at Odom Field for Wagoner's fireworks display, set for around 9:30 p.m.

Fort Gibson will have its annual fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. at the football stadium. Gates open at 7 p.m.