All of the staples that have made Kingfisher’s Fourth of July celebration one of the funnest days of the year will once again be a part of the 2023 festivities.

There will be some “new” added to the fun as well.

The Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce’s “Red, White & Boomfest” will be celebrated Tuesday, July 4.

As always, the day will begin with the annual downtown parade at 10 a.m. (See Registration information on Page 3 of this edition.)

This year’s parade marshals are the 2023 Kingfisher Citizen of the Year Dennis Mueggenborg and Volunteer of the Year Rachel Cameron.

There will be a free swim at the Vernie Snow Aquatic Center from noon to 4 p.m.

Food trucks will be on hand from 1 to 10 p.m. offering everything from barbecue to hot dogs to funnel cakes to lemonade to snow cones and more.

Events at Kingfisher Park begin at 1 p.m. and will last well into the night.

The first of the day is also the newest.

For the first time, the cham-MUSICAL ber is hosting a home run derby at Homier Field.

“We’re very excited to be adding this,” said Kingfisher Chamber Executive Director Shauna Rupp. “We’re always looking for ways to make our Fourth of July celebration even better.”

The entry fee is $20 and a cash prize will be awarded in multiple divisions for men and women (See more information on the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce website.)

Registration for the home run derby begins at noon.

The Kingfisher Lions Club’s annual turtle race and the Rotary Club’s balloon toss and sack races will begin at 4 p.m.

That’s also the start time for the annual “Duck Race,” which is the biggest fundraiser each year held by the Kingfisher Educational Foundation. (See Page 10 of this edition for more information).

Free train rides will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. and free face painting from 5 to 8 p.m.

A coin dig will begin at 6 p.m. and then free watermelon will be served at 7:30 p.m. at first base on the ball field.

This year’s concert at Homier Field will feature the Finley River Boys.

Based out of Missouri, the group has been inducted into the Missouri Arts Council as a touring performer.

The group is described as “a high-energy, acoustic bluegrass band that perfroms a wide variety of bluegrass, country, folk and gospel songs.”

The band features Brad Reynolds on the upright bass and vocals; Bill Crider on guitar and vocals; Brett Dudenhoeffer on fiddle, mandolin and vocals; and Gary Shipley on banjo and vocals.

The quartet has performs in excess of 100 shows yearly, including at venues such as Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival, Silver Dollar City, Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration (also featured on the Cumberland Highlanders television show), Missouri State Fair, Ozark Empire Fair, churches, county fairs, theaters, civic centers, schools and many more events throughout the United States.

The band has also been an International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA) Band of the Year nominee in 2014 and 2016 and a 2020 International Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA) nominee for Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year as well as being nominated for “Fans Choice” Bluegrass Band of the Year for the 2019 Josie Music Awards.

“Bring your blankets, your lawns chairs, your bug spray and enjoy some great music,” Rupp said.

At dusk, the fireworks show over Kingfisher Park will commence.

The fireworks, free swim and train rides are sponsored by the City of Kingfi sher.

Other events and prizes are sponsored by local businesses and chamber members.

For more details on the celebration, feel free to contact Rupp at the chamber office at 405-375-4445.