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- Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' soon to be law — where to see fireworks, celebrate Independence Day across Oklahoma
Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' soon to be law — where to see fireworks, celebrate Independence Day across Oklahoma
This is your 5-minute round-up of Oklahoma news for July 4, 2025
Ryan Welton
July 04, 2025
What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Friday, July 4, and I’m reminded of an Independence Day nearly 30 years ago.
It was 1997, and I took my first commercial airline trip ever. To Washington, D.C.
Flew to our nation’s capital with a friend to visit another buddy who worked there, and still does. We listened to the band play Stars & Stripes while we chilled on the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the distance.
It was great.
I’ve always loved Washington, D.C., the city. It was designed by Pierre L’Enfant to look more like a European capital — and it does in parts.
It’s really beautiful, too. In parts.
Every city has its bumps and bruises.
Those were some good times! And I do wish there had been iPhones then as I don’t have a single photo or video from that trip.
Anyway…we’ve got a lot to be grateful for this July 4, and for me it’s knowing how resilient this country can be in the face of challenges. Those of us who are decent and civic-minded have a lot of work to do.
I hope your Independence Day is both fun and safe! 🇺🇸
God bless America.
Weather Update 🌧️
Rain chances persist, but it looks like those possible showers would happen before sundown — meaning no issues with fireworks!
🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 82°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 85°
Where to see fireworks across Oklahoma this Fourth of July
Oklahoma is gearing up for an exciting Fourth of July, with fireworks shows and family-friendly celebrations across the state. Whether you’re in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or one of our state’s awesome small towns, you’ll find something to make your holiday memorable.
Oklahoma City Metro Area
OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark Star-Spangled Bash
Date: July 4, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.-plus
OKANA Resort is hosting a full day of festivities, including live performers, games, a hot dog eating contest, and a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. It’s a perfect spot for families looking for a mix of excitement and relaxation.
Cost for the bash is $69.99.
Oklahoma City Comets Baseball & Fireworks
Date: July 4, 7:05 p.m.
Enjoy America’s favorite pastime with a baseball game at the Oklahoma City Comets stadium, followed by a brilliant postgame fireworks display. It’s a classic way to celebrate the holiday.
Good chance ‘Oklahoma Memo’ will be there. (If you see me, say howdy!)
Frontier City Star-Spangled Nights
Date: July 4–5, 9:30 p.m.
Frontier City is lighting up the night with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. both nights, accompanied by patriotic music. The event is included with park admission, making it a great choice for thrill-seekers and families alike.
Buck Thomas Park Fireworks Show (Moore)
Date: July 4, live music starts at 5 p.m.
Moore’s Buck Thomas Park is hosting food trucks, live music, and a grand fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. It’s a local favorite for a laid-back, festive atmosphere.
LibertyFest (Edmond)
Date: July 4, parade at 9 a.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Edmond’s LibertyFest is a multi-day celebration featuring a parade, spectacular fireworks, and a 5K run. The 5K run is happening at 8 a.m. on July 5.
Yukon Freedom Fest
Date: July 4
Yukon’s Freedom Fest offers live concerts, kids’ activities, and a massive fireworks show at 10 p.m. on July 4. The festival atmosphere is sure to delight visitors of all ages.
Norman’s Fourth Fest at Reaves Park
Date: July 4, starts at 4 p.m.
Norman’s Reaves Park is the place to be for live music, a BBQ Smoker Smackdown, and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Bring your appetite and your dancing shoes!
(Click here for more!)
Tribute to Liberty (Midwest City)
Date: July 4, 7 to 10 p.m.
Midwest City’s Tribute to Liberty includes live music, food trucks, and a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. It’s a community-focused event with plenty of fun for everyone.
Tulsa Metro Area
Folds of Honor Freedom Fest
Date: July 4, festivities start at 6 p.m.
This patriotic event supports a great cause and features fireworks and patriotic celebrations throughout the day. The fireworks display will be carried live by News On 6 starting at 10 p.m.
(Click here for more!)
See also 👀
Jenks BoomFest Canceled: City says fireworks operators were injured in fire (News On 6)
Fireworks Map: When, where to watch firework shows, Fourth of July celebrations across Oklahoma (KOCO)
Want to see fireworks? Here's where to celebrate the Fourth of July 2025 in the OKC metro area (The Oklahoman)
Find the biggest Independence Day celebrations around Tulsa (Tulsa World)
A curated list of fireworks displays, Independence Day celebrations across Oklahoma (KOSU)
Texoma to celebrate Independence day with various festivities games and fireworks (KSWO)
US House passes massive tax break and spending cut bill, sending it to Trump
The U.S. Capitol as lawmakers worked into the night on the “big beautiful bill” on July 2, 2025. (PHOTO by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
By Jennifer Shutt & Ariana Figueroa, Oklahoma Voice
Click to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans cleared the “big, beautiful bill” for President Donald Trump’s signature Thursday, marking an end to the painstaking months-long negotiations that began just after voters gave the GOP unified control of Washington during last year’s elections.
The final 218-214 vote on the expansive tax and spending cuts package marked a significant victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., who were able to unify centrist and far-right members of the party against long odds and narrow majorities.
But the legislation’s real-world impacts include millions of Americans expected to lose access to Medicaid through new requirements and slashed spending, and state governments taking on a share of costs for a key nutrition program for low-income families. If voters oppose Republicans at the ballot box in return, it could mean the GOP loses the House during next year’s midterm elections.
In the end just two Republicans in the House and three in the Senate opposed the measure, which the Senate approved earlier in the week with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Trump posted on social media numerous times in the days leading up to the vote, thanking supportive Republicans who were praising the bill during interviews and threatening to back primary challenges against GOP lawmakers who stood in the way of passage.
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,” Trump posted just after midnight when it wasn’t yet clear the bill would pass. “What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
Trump told reporters while on his way to Iowa for an event that he would sign the bill at 5 p.m. Eastern on Friday, with military aircraft flying over the White House and Republican lawmakers in attendance.
Johnson said during a floor speech the legislation is a direct result of the November elections, when voters gave the GOP control of the House, Senate and the White House.
“That election was decisive. It was a bellwether. It was a time for choosing,” Johnson said. “And I tell you what — the American people chose, overwhelmingly, they chose the Republican Party.”
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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:
• 'About half' of school district in Pittsburg County resigns (2 News Oklahoma)
• Oklahoma Highway Patrol is shifting resources away from the Tulsa metro, here's why (News On 6)
• Why the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is shifting resources from OKC metro (News 9)
• State’s prison food contract canceled over nutritional deficiencies (Oklahoma Watch)
• Mother booked in connection with infant son’s death in Nov. 2024 (Oklahoma City Free Press)
• (UPDATE) 3 critically injured in Tuskahoma fire on Choctaw Nation capitol grounds (KXII)
• Attack leads to later standoff in NW Oklahoma City, man taken into custody (KFOR)
• Homeless Alliance loses eight staff members due to federal funding uncertainty (KFOR)
• This program was getting more counselors into rural Oklahoma schools. Then Trump pulled funding (KOSU)
• Food on the Move reacts to SNAP benefit changes in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" (Fox 23)
• We fact-checked Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims as part of the ‘Make Oklahoma Healthy Again’ campaign (The Frontier)
• An Oklahoma teacher took a leap of faith. She ended up winning state Teacher of the Year (Oklahoma Voice)
• 1 dead, 5 injured in two-car crash north of Newkirk (Kay News Cow)
• New city pool opens after $3.4 million investment into Chamberlain Park (Tulsa World)
• OCDC inmate dies after being found unresponsive, investigation underway (News 9)
• Tulsa mayor says city must move past curfews to address gun violence (Public Radio Tulsa)
• Collinsville Public Schools mourns loss of high school math teacher (Fox 23)
• Title X funding returns to Missouri nonprofit that helped coordinate Oklahoma reproductive services (StateImpact Oklahoma)
• Fallen firefighter will have procession that goes through Tulsa (Fox 23)
• Among 5 Choctaw constitutional amendments on ballot, one would lessen ‘Bill of Rights’ (NonDoc)
• John Croisant Slams Kevin Hern for Backing Trump’s Mega Bill (Black Wall Street Times)
• 5 inducted as living legends for their service and commitment to Muscogee Nation (Mvskoke Media)
• Veteran receives high school diploma at 73 (Cherokee Phoenix)
• 'What our downtown could be': Main Street director discusses vision for future (Enid News & Eagle)
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