Independence Day in the Wichitas

Independence Day festivities will be plentiful in the Comanche County communities of Elgin, Medicine Park, Fletcher, Wichita Mountain Estates and Sterling.

ELGIN
Elgin’s 2nd annual Sounds of Freedom Festival will be held Saturday, July 2 at the Youth Sports Complex.
Festivities begin at 8 a.m. with a 5K and Fun Run. Runners must register by 7:45 a.m. Entry for the Fun Run is $10; the 5K is $20. Each 5K participant receives a medal commemorating their accomplishment.
Oklahoma’s own Jamie Richards, along with Crosswind and Dani Carson will perform throughout the evening. Richards’ 10 No. 1 hits include “I want to with you,” “The Man in the Neon Moon,” and “Easier by now.” Musicians will be onstage from 4-10 p.m.
Other activities include golf, soccer and other sports competitions from 4-6 p.m. and a Car Smash fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. a vendor fair with food trucks will be on hand from 4-10 p.m.
One of southwest Oklahoma’s largest fireworks displays will commence when the skies are dark, Mayor JJ Francais said.
As for personal fireworks displays, “Persons within the city limits may use or otherwise discharge permissible fireworks only from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. om July 2, July 3 and July 4,” city code states.

MEDICINE PARK
This year, Medicine Park celebrates America’s independence with the town’s 10th annual Rockin’ The Park – July 1-4, 2022 – at Hitchin’ Post Park in downtown Medicine Park.
With plenty of free live music on hand, Rockin’ the Park is a great opportunity to relax in the sun, eat some food and hear some great music from nine bands. Friday from 8-10 p.m. The Ahhfugyeahs will take the stage. Saturday, Garage Mahalix kick things off at 3 p.m., followed by Juju Beans at 5, 100 Bones at 7, and Danger Zone from 9-11 p.m. Sunday, entertainment continues with Smiling Bob English at 3 p.m., Skinner Meyer at 5, Tyler Lee at 7, Kris Lager Band from 9-11 p.m. Monday will see performances by Killer Darlings at 3 p.m., Echo 21 at 5, and Insider from 7 to 9 p.m.
There will be a Jeep show on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and there will be a number of food vendors on hand as well as local restaurants will be open to celebrants.
After the band Insider concludes their show at 9 p.m. Monday, the official fireworks show will begin and offer a grand finale to a four-day celebration in one of Oklahoma’s most unique towns.

FLETCHER
The Town of Fletcher will celebrate America’s independence and the 120th anniversary of the town’s founding on July 2. Fletcher was founded in July 1902.
Hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 306, Fletcher’s Independence Day festivities and the town’s 1st annual Birthday Fest will begin with a community breakfast at the Fletcher Community Center from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to benefit Fletcher Volunteer Fire Department.
Shortly thereafter, at the Fletcher Fairgrounds, there will be a pie and cake auction as well as a BBQ cookoff, complete with a $500 first prize. At noon, there will be 50-50 bingo. A live auction begins at 2 p.m.
Food trucks will be on hand at the fairgrounds as well, including Mother Cluckin’ Chicken, San Juan Street Tacos, and Frozen Fannie’s Shaved Ice.
Burt Herrin will provide musical entertainment from 4 to 6 p.m.
Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Bloodmobile will be set up from noon to 5 p.m. to accept blood donations.
As for the fireworks show, that will begin after the sun goes down that evening.
Folks who want to light their own fireworks may do so in the parking lot of the Fletcher Community Center on July 4 until 11 p.m. and all trash and debris must be cleaned up, the town’s Facebook page states.
For more information, go to the Town of Fletcher’s Facebook page.

WICHITA MOUNTAIN ESTATES
Wichita Mountain Estates Fire Department, outside of Lawton, will hold a Hog Roast on Sunday, July 3.

STERLING
The Town of Sterling is not holding any officially sanctioned events for the holiday this year. While residents are allowed to celebrate America’s independence with fireworks, they are advised to practice extreme caution.

Spend the weekend listening to some hard-hitting rock and roll that is sure to get you moving. Be sure to catch the spectacular fireworks experience for the grand finale of this fun-filled event.