Several events in the Montgomery County area will get residents in the spirit of the Independence Day holiday.

Among the events that the Montgomery County Chronicle knows about:

• Caney: No formal fireworks presentation is planned in Caney, however the Caney Assembly of God Church invites the public to the church lawn at McGee and Third streets tonight (Thursday) for a free fireworks show at dark. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the show.

• Sycamore: At Sycamore, town residents are preparing for the 7th Annual Sycamore rade beginning at 5 p.m. All residents and businesses are invited to be in the parade. Entries could include homemade floats, kids on bicycles, proud-to-own vehicles, tractors, horses and more.

The parade begins at the intersection of U.S. 75 highway and Main Street, then travels west following the posted signs.

Following the parade, the celebration continues with a cookout at 7 p.m., at the Independence Trail Riders arena. Members of the Sycamore division of the Montgomery County Rural Fire Department will serve hot dogs and hamburgers. Attendees are asked to bring side dishes. Lawn chairs and blankets are also requested to allow spectators to enjoy a fireworks display at dusk.

• Coffeyville: At Coffeyville, residents are gearing for the town’s annual July 4th celebration at Walter Johnson Park. Events will begin at 5 p.m, with a car and bicycle show. Watermelon, ice cream and water will be available, and live music will be presented from Torey Smart and The Cole Family Bluegrass.

At 7 p.m., events include a concert featuring The Rising Suns and Tonya Starnes and Steel Wired.

Concessions will be offered by the American Red Cross, and a large fireworks show hosted by Cactus Hills will begin at dark.

The July 4th celebration is sponsored by the City of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce, and KGGF-KKRK-KUSN.

• Independence: At Independence, plans are underway for a July 4th fireworks display with prime seating at Riverside Park.

Independence has not had a July 4th fireworks show since 2005. In 2006, the fireworks show was ignited prematurely when pyrotechnics were in the process of loading the mortar shells in the afternoon. In 2007, the July 4th fireworks display was cancelled due to the flooding that was still occurring in Independence.

The display will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be accompanied by music on KIND (102.9 FM).

• Bartlesville: Bartlesville’s Freedom Fest 2008 will be held on July 4 at the Washington Park Mall starting at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Kiwanis Club.

Festivities kick-off with kid’s inflatable games, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the “Red, White & Blue” Children’s Parade. The American Legion Post 105 will present the colors and provide a 21-gun salute. Other program participants will be the Bartlesville Symphony Brass Ensemble, Army recruiters and an Army drill team. The Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing will awe the crowd again this year with an F-16 flyover. Towards the end of the program there will be a tribute to local military and civilian heroes. In between live presentations there will a large screen audio-visual program that will entertain the crowd. To top off the evening there will be a large fireworks display.

Food featured at the celebration will be hotdogs, cotton candy, popcorn and shaved ice.

There will be no seating provided so those attending should bring their lawn chairs or blankets. When attendees enter the mall parking lot Boy Scouts and Bartlesville Reserve Police officers will be on hand to direct drivers to designated parking areas. Handicapped parking will also be available.

In case of rain, events will be rescheduled for the same location on Sunday, July 6, starting at 8:30 p.m.

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