DRUMRIGHT, Oklahoma -
The Oil Patch Festival in Drumright is going on 20 years of honoring America.
Rick Sellers is the man behind the festival.
"This is the company party that ran away with itself," said Sellers.
It started out as a company picnic for his employees at Keystone Gas Company. Now, 20 years later, upwards of 10,000 people celebrate Independence Day on Sellers' land, just north of Drumright.
"We got people from out of town coming to see what it's like here and who they'll meet, and mixing them up is the best possible thing we can do," Sellers said. "That's why we're here."
Sellers said the key is all of the stuff to do: wild animals on display, live music beginning in the late afternoon, and even a special visit from Lady Liberty herself and a her patriotic partner Uncle Sam.
"This is my favorite 4th of July event anywhere. It's bigger and better than any of the other one's that I've been too before," said Michael King, the man behind Uncle Sam.
But the best part is it's all free.
"The only thing you can spend any money on is some kettle corn over there, and some cotton candy over here. And they're going to benefit some good causes," Sellers said.
There's no admission to get in and no cost for the burgers and hot dogs, which, of course, has the cooks working hard to keep the crowd satisfied.
But everyone seems to understand the reason they're here—to honor our country and pay tribute to those who made our freedom possible.
"You can't define what to celebrate this event would mean. It's a very good thing to celebrate like this," said Charles Moore, VFW Chaplain.
The festival concludes Wednesday night with a fireworks show, set to begin at dusk followed by a concert by country star Kix Brooks, of Brooks & Dunn.
Oil Patch Festival-goers enjoying Independence Day in Drumright.
The festival started as a company picnic for employees of Keystone Gas Company, and now thousands of people come every year.
