After what looks like an overcast week with more storms and rain on the horizon, Saturday promises to dawn bright and cloudless – just in time for Kingfisher’s Red, White & BoomFest Independence Day Celebration.

But the weekend fun actually begins Friday evening with the annual L’il Miss and Mister Firecracker competition, scheduled at 6 p.m. at Kingfisher Heritage School auditorium.

Boys and girls will be interviewed on stage by the current Kingfisher County Distinguished Young Woman before winners are selected in two age groups – 2 and 3-year-olds and 4 and 5-year-olds.

Wednesday is the deadline to register for the event by calling the Chamber of Commerce office.

The winners will ride Saturday morning in the Independence Day parade in downtown Kingfisher, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Former Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce manager Judy Whipple, who served in that capacity for 19 years, also will be honored in the parade as its marshal.

Although the day’s highs are expected to be in the low to mid 80s, free, cool fun is available at Vernie Snow Aquatic Center, with open swimming at no charge from 2-4 p.m.

More family fun kicks off at Kingfisher Park at 5 p.m.

Face painting, a watermelon feed, turtle races, balloon toss, a coin dig plus snow cones and other food will be available.

Vendors include Iron Wheel BBQ, Papa Bear Shaved Ice, funnel cakes and a $5 hot dog deal from the American Legion.

Local vocal artist Emily Faith Sanders will present a live concert inside the Homier baseball stadium from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

A recent high school graduate, Sanders has been performing since the age of 5 at the Rodeo Opry and began writing her own songs at the age of 8.

She kicked off a career in contemporary Christian music after opening for the Newsboys on their “God’s Not Dead – Rivals” tour.

Sanders also demonstrates a passion for causes dear to her heart, including serving as an advocate for Oklahoma’s children’s hospitals and teaching music to underprivileged communities at Oklahoma City’s Granville Community Music School.

The annual professional fireworks display sponsored by the City of Kingfisher will cap off Saturday’s events.

Hennessey Holiday

There will be a free swim at Hennessey’s 300 limit Aquatic Center pool Sunday, July 4 from 12-5 p.m. The Town of Hennessey will also again supply the annual fireworks show at dark-o’clock. There will not be a night swim that evening.

People are welcome to sit in the football stands if they want, but there will be no parking allowed east of Mitchell on Oklahoma, said Mayor Bert Gritz, who is also the fire chief. The fireworks show will be staged at the south end of the practice field on Mitchell Rd. at Oklahoma Ave.

Hennessey’s mayor said personal fireworks may be shot inside the town limits Friday-Sunday, July 1-4 until 11 p.m. No aerial fireworks will be allowed, and “that will be strictly enforced,” he said.

Concessions are available at the pool that also includes an ADA power lift, and a “mother’s bench” in the water. It also has two diving boards, several sprays and flumes, tot slides, pool deck and covered areas, tables and chairs.

The water park also includes a splash pad, playground equipment, volleyball and basketball areas and a lighted parking lot.

The municipal pool’s regular schedule is Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. with night swims 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Adult water walking 11 a.m.-12 noon.

Regular admissions are: up to two years old, $2; 3-17, $3; 18-64, $4, and 65 and up, $2.

For parties, season passes and other information, call Town Hall (405-853-2416).