As the City of Lawton gears up for its Freedom Festival 2025, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their commute with care. The event scheduled for next Friday and Saturday at Elmer Thomas Park is expected to draw large crowds, and consequently, City officials have released a detailed parking plan to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Lawton's website has complete maps and traffic procedures for festivalgoers to peruse.
Post-fireworks, one-way traffic routes will to quickly be implemented around the park. According to a news release from the City of Lawton, NW Ferris Avenue will turn into a one-way westbound route, while NW 6th Street will carry traffic northbound on Friday and westbound on Saturday. Additionally, NW 3rd Street is reserved exclusively for handicap-exit, operating as one-way. Traffic modifications on Friday include the shutdown of eastbound NW Cache Road at 7:30 p.m. and a complete closure of roads within the Fireworks Control Area at the same time on Saturday. Parking enforcement will watch for compliance in the marked zones.
The City is advocating for festivalgoers to use the free shuttle service provided, aiming to reduce traffic congestion. Continuous shuttle loops will run between the designated parking areas and the main event site, with pickups and drop-offs conveniently located near NW 3rd Street. The service will persist even after the fireworks to ensure guests have been returned to their vehicles. The locally posted traffic control plan has been thoughtfully put together by Lawton Police and event security for optimal safety; drivers are reminded to exercise patience, adhere to the signage, and give priority to pedestrian safety.
The City of Lawton's announcement includes a call to action for those seeking updates related to the festival. Participants are encouraged to text "Join LawtonEvents" to 31002 or to download the "Go Lawton" app available in both Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With these steps, city officials hope to deliver a spectacular and orderly Freedom Festival experience to all attendees.
