The Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fourth of July parade and fireworks spectacular are once again the bookends for what promises to be a full day of fun next week.

However, the timing for some of the events - and even some of the details of the parade - have changed in 2024.

The chamber’s “Red, White & Boomfest” tradition continues as it promises activities for the entire family next Thursday, July 4.

More than 12 hours of activities are planned, beginning with the downtown parade at 10 a.m.

“But the chamber has added a few changes this year to make note of,” said Executive Director Shauna Rupp.

The parade will begin at Robberts Avenue (the stop light at Interbank/ Times & Free Press) and head south on Main Street/U.S. Highway 81.

Parade entrants will make a u-turn at Main and Broadway (U.S. 81 and State Highway 33) and travel back north to Robberts Avenue.

(Note: The parade route will not travel to BancFirst/Sheridan Avenue as it has in years past.)

Another change this year is families don’t have to wait a couple of hours for some of the traditional activities to begin at Kingfisher Park.

The turtle races - sponsored by the Kingfisher Lions Club - and the sack races and balloon toss - sponsored by Kingfisher Rotary Club - will begin at 11 a.m. at Homier Field.

A popular addition last year, the home run derby makes its return and will begin at 1 p.m. with check-in starting at 12:30 p.m.

There will be one division for males and another for females.

A variety of food trucks will also be available throughout the park beginning at 11 a.m. all the way through the end of activities that night.

Jacket Inflatables will also be stationed at the park, providing another activity for children from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Kingfisher Educational Foundation’s annual “Duck Race” is slated for 2 p.m. at the Vernie Snow Aquatic Center.

The pool - K-town Kove - will be open for free swimming from 3-7 p.m.

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

The sounds pick up at 7:30 p.m. when country and western performer - and native Oklahoman - Maddox Ross takes the stage for a two-hour concert at Homier Park.

As the sun sets and once Ross wraps up his show, all eyes turn to the sky for the annual fireworks display, which should begin around 9:30 p.m.

As always, said Rupp, a lot of work will go into the day’s events before, during and after Thursday.

“The chamber is thankful for all the community and business support to make this event possible,” she said.

( Note: For more on the day’s events as well as sponsors making them happen, see the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce advertisement on Page 2 of this edition.)