Independence Day is only days away, and there will be many activities planned for communities across the county. From fireworks shows and parades to fairs and festivals, there is something for everyone, and the public is invited out to celebrate freedom in 2023.

The fun begins this evening, Saturday, July 1 at 6 p.m. with the Doodles and Declaration Celebration Downtown, at the Kay County Amphitheater, Ninth and Main in Newkirk.

There will be a wide variety of activities for the whole family, including water games to cool off in the summer heat. There will be plenty of food, including the Chick-fil-a truck, and a concession stand for the Newkirk Cheer Boosters, and Kona Ice.

Live music will grace the stage of the Amphitheater for the families attending.

There will be a cornhole tournament east of the Kay County Administration Building, adjacent to the Amphitheater, and the Doodle Academy will also have their doodle trailer for the kids.

For more information visit the Kay County Amphitheater’s Facebook page.

The Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce begins early Independence Day with a patriotic breakfast at Quiddy’s, as well as Mary’s Grill. Registration for the Tiny Tot and Mr. Muscle competition begins at 9 a.m., with judging at 9:30 in Heart in the Park.

Kids can also participate in a decorated bicycle and ATV parade. Lineup is at First United Methodist Church, Fourth and Grand, at 11, and judging is at 11:30.

There will be a Lucky Duck Derby at the Ninth Street canal, and a free swim will be at Tonkawa Aquatic Park from 2-7 p.m.

A horseshoe tournament is at 3, with registration at 2. Entry is $20 per team.

The fun continues well into the evening, and games begin at 7, which includes coin dig, tugof war, stick horse race, turtle race, balloon toss and a 50/50 drawing, with a chance to win half of the tickets sold. Tickets are $1 each, or six for $5 and are available at the Chamber office or Chamber member locations. Proceeds help support the fireworks show, which begins at dusk in Blinn Park.

For more information, contact the Tonkawa Chamber at (580) 628-2220.

Blackwell will host their annual Fourth of July parade at 10 am on Tuesday, following the decorated bike and wagon contest at 9:45. Festivities will be hosted at Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Blackwell Memorial Pool will be open to the community, free of charge, from 1 to 6 pm.

From 4 to 7 pm, the Blackwell Fairgrounds will host the Freedom Festival, featuring food trucks, games, bounce houses and more. All-access wristbands are available for $5. The Blackwell Flycatchers will take the field at 6:30 pm for a double header at Morgan Field baseball stadium on Main Street. After the game, at dusk, the evening will conclude with the fireworks display.

The Newkirk First United Methodist Church, Seventh and Walnut, also has activities that evening with the Fourth of July Family Fun Day, starting at 5. Activities include a watermelon feed, carnival games and karaoke, a fun activity for the whole family.

In Ponca City, The RecPlex will celebrate at 7:30 with a swim at Wentz Pool at Lake Ponca, which will provide a wonderful view of the fireworks show. There will also be hotdogs and hamburgers. Tickets are available for $15, and interested parties can call (580) 767-0430 for registration.

The fireworks show begins at 9:50 p.m. The show will be choreographed to music on 100.7 FM KPNC and 99.3 FM KLOR. The lake will be buoyed about 7 for watercraft on the lake. No private fireworks will be allowed around Lake Ponca.