From staff reports The Lawton Fort Sill Freedom Festival, southwest Oklahoma’s premiere event celebrating our nation’s independence, is slated for June 28-29 in ElmerThomas Park. And this year the festivities will include a drone show as well as fireworks.
The announcement was issued by the City of Lawton, Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority, and the Freedom Festival Committee.
A show featuring 200 drones in the sky over Lake Helen will be the featured event of the Freedom Festival the night of June 28. The show will be synchronized to music and last for approximately 15 minutes, including a fireworks finale.
“We wanted to mark the 10th annual Freedom Festival in a big way, with new energy and new technology, and we are excited to accomplish that through a drone show,” said Jason Poudrier, Lawton’s Arts & Humanities Administrator. “Our intent is make this a feature every year, to not only pay tribute to our nation but to offer Lawtonians and tourists two nights of patriotic celebration.”
The principal fireworks show – a “pyromusical fireworks display” lasting approximately 25 minutes – will occur the night of June 29.
LimeLight Productions of Oklahoma City will be paid $108,750 to produce the fireworks displays, and Sky Elements of North Richland Hills, Texas, will receive $40,000 for its drone show.
With support from Fort Sill’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, a Bounce House Park with approximately 20 bounce houses will be another attraction, with all-day passes being sold for $5 per person.
The Derby Car Races will be back for a second year, with support from Classic Lawton Chevrolet and Comanche Home Center. A hotdog eating contest also will be back for a second year, with support from Bar S.
More information on the headliner slated to perform on June 29 will be released in the coming months, along with more details on the Derby Car Races and Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The Freedom Festival Committee continues to recruit vendors and volunteer organizations to assist with parking, bounce houses and other festival responsibilities.
Interested sponsors, vendors, and volunteers can contact City of Lawton Arts and Humanities Office at (580) 581-3470, or by email at arts@Lawtonok.gov.