Fourth of July Holiday Will Feature Slew of Activities

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

From dances to bouncy houses to fireworks, Oxford’s Fourth of July weekend has something for everyone.

The Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi is organizing this year’s LOU Fourth of July Celebration. Family Crisis Services is also a major sponsor of the holiday weekend events.

The events will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2 with a nondenominational worship service at Paris-Yates Chapel.

On Wednesday, July 3, the free and festive, family-friendly Community Street Dance will provide an evening of music and entertainment starting at 7 p.m. on the Downtown Square.

On Thursday, July 4, a whole day of activities will start bright and early and end with Oxford’s fireworks show.

The annual Freedom 5k and Family Fun Run that benefits MS Critterz Animal Shelter will begin at 7:30 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., little ones, pets, moms, dads and the entire family can take part in the annual fun run around the Square.

Registration is $30 for the 5K and $15 for the Fun. All participants will receive a race number and official Stars and Stripes T-shirt.

To register for the races, visit: https://racesonline.com/events/freedom-5k-family-fun-run.

The annual LOU Fourth of July Children’s Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the Square. Lineup begins at 9 a.m. by Something Southern. The parade committee asks those planning on being in the parade do not bring items to throw from a float or vehicle. Festive, Fourth of July decorations are encouraged.

There is no cost to register; however, the committee asks those planning to be a part of the parade register by printing out the application and emailing it to mchaffe@oxfordadvocacy.org by July 1.

For more information about the parade, call Mary-Margaret Chaffe at 662-234-9929.

At 4 p.m., activities in the Grove on the University of Mississippi will include a children’s area featuring a petting zoo, train rides, bounce houses, face painting and balloon art.

At 5:30 p.m. there will be the Independence Day Pageant where the Lil’ Mr. and Miss Firecracker Contest will be held. There’s no cost to participate (donations are accepted) but pre-registration is required. The application can be found online at: and emailed to Chaffe.

At 6:30 p.m. there will be a moment to reflect on the occasion and honor local service men and women. Patriotic musical salute by Tate Moore. Parade awards announced.

The fun will continue in the Grove with live musical acts until 8 p.m.

Gates open at the Oxford University Stadium where people can watch the fireworks for a $2 donation. Coolers are not allowed inside the stadium. Refreshments will be available to purchase.

As the sun retires for the day and the stars make their way into the night sky, this year’s $15,000 fireworks show will begin at about 9 p.m. The fireworks are sponsored this year by Olin-Winchester and will last about 20 minutes. Local films will be shown on the stadium screen prior to fireworks.

The money for the fireworks is raised through sponsors, donations, the $2 donation at the stadium and from the sale of glow sticks, pizza and beverages during the fireworks.

Family Crisis Services provides advocacy, prevention/intervention education, 24-hour crisis intervention for adult and children victims of sexual assault, a 24-hour crisis hotline for all victims of crime, counseling, forensic interviewing, information/ referral, court prep services, and multidisciplinary teams.