Edmond, Oklahoma, embraced the spirit of Independence Day with an array of events spanning the holiday weekend, highlighted by the annual LibertyFest parade. Residents commenced the celebrations with the time-honored procession which saw KOCO 5's team, Kylie Walker and Jonathan Conder, partaking, the parade leading up to a 9:30 p.m. fireworks display, as KOCO 5 reported.
Continuing the festivities, Edmond is set to host the Liberty Sprint race at Mitch Park, an 8 a.m. start today promising a competitive edge to the weekend's merriments. Meanwhile, News 9's Kylee Dedmon noted the enthusiasm of parade attendees, some of which staked out prime spots as early as 2 a.m.; Dedmon shared insights from the event stating, "We got out here a little bit after 4 a.m. this morning, and people were already out here," showcasing the deep-seated tradition and the community's dedication to celebrating the Fourth of July, according to a statement obtained by News 9.
The significance of the 4th of July resonates strongly with Oklahomans, a sentiment echoed in interviews captured by KFOR. Bobby Matlock, one of the locals interviewed, expressed unparalleled energy for the day, saying, "I've been waiting for this day my whole life, like this is better than Christmas. Any other holiday, it just doesn’t compare." In capturing the broad enthusiasm, KFOR depicted the event as more than a display of fireworks, but as an opportunity for joy, unity, and an embrace of freedom, with community members like Dallas Johns emphasizing the value of togetherness: "We can just have fun, spend time with family and friends," Johns told KFOR.
A sense of the holiday's first-time magic was captured in interviews with new participants, Chasidy Darby described witnessing the festivities through fresh eyes, particularly through the experience of her child who is taking in the holiday's spectacle for the first time, Darby enthused, "Her liking it and not being so scared, just loving it all because I just love it," capturing a generational appreciation for the festive day, according to a KFOR interview.
