Published: June 30, 2009 11:14 am      

Red Oak 10th annual Independence Day Celebration set kick off Friday

The Red Oak Committee for Continued Growth is ready to celebrate. The 10th Annual Independence Day Celebration scheduled Friday and Saturday in Red Oak. This year’s theme is “Red Oak: The Tradition Continues.”

The theme was chosen to recognize that we continue to celebrate Independence Day and that it is the 10th annual celebration.

The fourth annual Men’s Slow-pitch Softball Firecracker Classic tournament will begin on Friday. The tournament will be played at the Red Oak High School baseball field. It is a double elimination tournament.

The Firecracker Classic is a great beginning to two days of activities and an excellent opportunity to see good ball games and visit with friends and neighbors. Concessions will be available and will help to raise funds for all of the activities that are sponsored by ROCCG. An added event to the Firecracker Classic will be the first Home Run Derby with a cash award.

The terrapin race is always a big race for the children and their decorated terrapins. All entries will receive a prize, as well as cash prizes for first, second, and third place. This race is sponsored by Juanita Noah.

Many new activities have been added for children, including a Tug of War. There will be lots of prizes and free items for the children.

A tradition of the Red Oak Branch of Farmers’ State Bank is the free Ice Cream Sundaes. The sundaes will be served at the Red Oak Baseball Field complex. In addition, the children will be making ice cream.

The Butterfield 5K Run will begin on Saturday 8 a.m. in downtown Red Oak. The race service recently re-certified the course and individuals may register for the race on the morning of the race at 7 a.m. on the parking lot of the Red Oak Community Center. Drawings for prizes will be given to the participants. In addition, the first, second, and third place individuals in each category will receive Butterfield Run medals.

The ROCCG is also sponsoring a one mile walk, as well as a Children’s Fun Run, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Children participating in the Fun Run will receive medals as well as prizes.

Red Oak First Baptist Church members will host a free breakfast for the community. The breakfast will be held in the Fellowship Hall from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday.

A portion of Main Street will be roped off, for the children’s activities that will begin at 9:30 a.m. We will have bingo for the children and a sidewalk art contest.

At 1 p.m. in the Red Oak High School auditorium activities will include a children’s patriotic program under the direction of Melissa Lee and Pam Wasson.

Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and listen to music provided by Casey Covey, of Wister, and then watch the Red Oak: The Tradition Continues parade at 8 p.m. Immediately following the Parade, the finals of the Men’s Firecracker Classic will begin.

At the conclusion of the Firecracker Classic will be

the fireworks display. The Red Oak fireworks display is a joint effort of the Red Oak City Council, Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department and the ROCCG.

The ninth annual street dance will begin at 10 p.m. in downtown Red Oak on Main Street. Covey will be the d.j. for the street dance.

All activities are free.

For more information about the activities contact Dru Kauk at 918-465-6717, Phyllis Whitworth at 918-754-2340 or Jodie White at 918-448-4937 or jodiektc@yahoo.com.