Fireworks Extravaganzas Planned

It’s time to celebrate the U.S. of A. on July 4, and Sequoyah County towns are planning explosive celebrations.

Fireworks shows will be held in Roland, Sallisaw, Vian, at Lake Tenkiller, and hopefully at Webbers Falls.

Travis Cox, Webbers Falls fire chief, said the town will definitely have a Fourth of July celebration, but he isn’t sure where it will be held. Town officials said the Webbers Falls Park, where the celebration is usually held, was badly damaged in a recent storm and cannot be used for the celebration.

Cox said it is hoped the fireworks show, which is managed by the fire department, can be moved to the sports complex but, as of June 26, the details had not yet been worked out. Information will be published when plans are complete.

Roland plans a Fourth of July celebration on July 1 (Saturday). The celebration begins at 5 p.m. and continues with the annual fireworks show at dusk.

The Roland Chamber of Commerce reports the festival includes free swimming at the Roland Pool, water slide inflatables, crafts, face painting, live music by War Pony from 7 to 9 p.m., foods and desserts, and door prize drawings.

Vian’s celebration will be held Monday, July 3. The fireworks show will be at dusk at the St. John Stadium. The Favorite Sons and Daughters Awards will begin around 8:30 p.m. There is no admission for the show, but donations will be taken at the gate. To enjoy the show to the fullest, it is recommend visitors come into the stadium to hear the music and support the Favorite Sons and Daughters program.

At Lake Tenkiller, the Greater Tenkiller Area Association (GTAA) will present the Lake Tenkiller Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk (9:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, July 4. They recommend the best viewing is towards the dam.

George Harris, GTAA board member, said this show has the possibility to be the biggest ever. Harris said the fireworks show at Lake Tenkiller is always a sight to behold and is a great way for people and families to enjoy a quality display.

Harris said, “The show will once again be shot from the Tenkiller State Park Sanitary Lagoon Area, which is just north of the campgrounds on the right as you enter the park. The area between the two big islands should afford excellent viewing. In addition, the shoot site is somewhat higher in elevation than the site on the dam that we have used on past years, so there should be excellent viewing in the central part of the lake, perhaps as far north as Cookson Bend and Sixshooter. Most of the shots should also be visible from Gore and Webbers Falls.” 

Sallisaw’s Fourth of July celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. July 4 on the grounds at Sallisaw High School. The fireworks will blast off at dusk, and Marley Abell, who heads up the show for the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s show includes about 2,200 shots. The largest will be the more than 125 shots of 5 and 6 inch shells. Along with these, there will be over 400 shots of 3 and 4 inch shells as well. 

The celebration includes traditional Fourth of July foods such as free hot dogs, chips and bottled water, as long as the supply lasts, and activities aimed mostly at children will include face painting, the chunk-it game, volleyball, bounce-a-rounds and more.

The celebration is free of charge and sponsors include the chamber and Sallisaw churches.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com