Festive Happenings in Oxford for July 4 Weekend

It’s an understatement to say Oxford is ready for July 4 weekend. Are y’all ready for a perfect summer weekend?

The patriotic weekend kicks off with the Leap Frog’s Firecracker Bash at the Lyric tomorrow night at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Bouffants will play as Oxford’s most lovely compete in the Mr. and Mrs. America Contest. The tickets are $25, and Teresa Adams, director of Leap Frog, can be reached at leapfrogdirector@gmail.com at 662-801-7978.

Adams said, “This will be our third year hosting the Firecracker Bash on behalf of The Leap Frog Program. We are so thrilled and excited to see how much attention it has received. This will be our best year yet!”

The city government will be closed all day Friday in observance of the holiday weekend. However, on Saturday, the city will celebrate all day long from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society opens with the Stars and Stripes on the Square 5k classic run as a fundraiser for the shelter animals. An hour later there will be the children’s Fun Run around the Square, perhaps a great way to practice before the L.O.U. 4th of July Children’s Parade on the Square at 9:30 a.m. In that parade, the children can go around the Square on decorated bikes or vintage and show cars, or just walk around, in full July 4 decoration for the Most Patriotic and Most Unique awards. There will be a pet dress-up competition there too!

Amid the parading fun, the Oxford Maker’s Market will be on the Courthouse lawn at 9:00 a.m., although some vendors may be there as early as 7:30 a.m. Jake Sesums of YoknapaTaco, Oxford’s first food truck soon to arrive for business this September, is featuring homemade fruit popsicles – Oxsicles – for many to grab a bite of to keep cool during the July 4 parade.

The best of the food culture in Oxford beings at 10:30 a.m., right after the parade, with the PMQ Magazine’s second annual Slice of Americana Pizza Competition at the Powerhouse. Its press release by Melanie Addington, its social media director and writer, states: “Learning from the tremendous success of last year, this event will be limited to 200 adults and more pizza will be provided along with light appetizers.”

This delicious competition will go on until 3:30 p.m.

The Mid-Town Farmer’s Market will provide plenty of local foods from surrounding farms that will be great for grilling out with. The Mid-Town Farmer’s Market will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. with this Saturday designated as a children’s day with face painting and fun activities planned.

Many can take their children to the Grove for activities, all sponsored by Your Extra Closet. Starting at 4 p.m., the kids can enjoy music, the petting zoo with pony and train rides. There will be bouncing houses, face-painting and balloons.

At 6:30 p.m. the local servicemen and women will be honored in the Grove at the Independence Day Ceremony. Fifteen minutes later, the Grove fun will continue with regional live music until 8 p.m., an hour before the fireworks.

As soon as the sky darkens at 9 p.m. the fireworks will light up the horizon over the Swayze Field. For $2, there will be premium stadium seats available albeit without coolers. The gates to the stadium open at 7:30 p.m. for those who needs that one perfect spot to lie back for the show.

The L.O.U. 4th of July Committee who made all this possible is presented by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.

Callie Daniels Bryant is the senior managing editor. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.