Weekly Events Calendar, July 4-10, 2022

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

Celebrate Independence Day with fun community games in Pawnee. Bring your own turtle. Photo courtesy Pawnee Chamber of Commerce

Bored? Games!

Break up the endless slog of summer in Pawnee during July 4th Games on the Square. Courthouse Square is the place to be for a fun and family friendly community celebration with games that are fun to watch and even more fun to join. The annual turtle race is a sure-fire winner for guests, or maybe they’d rather take part in classic competitions like horseshoes and tug-of-war. Because sometimes the best way to celebrate America is to enjoy living in it. July 4. Admission, free. facebook.com

A Fifth of Fun

Independence Day is a big deal, but that’s no reason for the rest of July to get short shrift. Thankfully the fine folks of Carmen are happy to spread the love around during the Carmen 5th of July Celebration. This small northern Oklahoma town has big fun in store with a wet-and-wild water balloon toss, great music, and even a blood drive for those who want to give back. Be sure to bring money for the raffle if you want to take home custom cornhole boards or a lifetime fishing license. And stick around until the sun sets for a fireworks show that’s just as gorgeous as those held a day earlier. July 5. Admission, free. facebook.com

McLoud has a sweet treat for visitors to the annual Blackberry Festival, which began way back in the 1940s. Photo by S. Hermann and F. Richter

Berry Sweet

McLoud will live up to its name when locals turn up the volume for the annual Blackberry Festival. Started in the early 1940s as a way to celebrate the end of the blackberry harvest, the fun soon brought nationwide attention to the community when President Harry Truman received an overnight freight of berries from Oklahoma and declared McLoud the “Blackberry Capital of the World.” Enjoy a carnival, parade, pageant, and the Cobbler Gobbler contest among more attractions. July 8-9. Admission, free. mcloudchamber.com

Veni Vidi Vicycle

For twenty-five years, the cyclists of Norman have gathered together to enjoy their two-wheeled pastime and raise money for a worthy cause during the Norman Conquest. Hosted by the Bicycle League of Norman, this fundraiser supports Camp ClapHans at the J.D. McCarty Center for children with developmental disabilities. Riders can choose from a leisurely 10-mile ride all the way up to a grueling 64-mile push through the hills surrounding Norman and nearby Lake Thunderbird. Registration is required. July 9. Registration, $15-$65. bicycleleagueofnorman.com

Explore Cleveland County's natural landscape during the Norman Conquest and raise money for children to go to camp. Photo courtesy Bicycle League of Norman

Nice Shot

One of the worst parts of the Internet is the way most of it is only online. But those viral videos of guys making impossible shots with basketballs, footballs, and more are coming to life in Tulsa when BOK Center Presents: Dude Perfect. Join Tyler, Cody, Garrett, Coby, and Cory as they bring their web-based fun to a live audience with battles, competitions, stunts, and plenty of hilarious stories. July 10. Tickets, $33-$93. bokcenter.com

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.