Tulsa FreedomFest Organizers Expect Flawless Fireworks Show This Year

By Nicole Wiseman, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- ONEOK FreedomFest 2010 organizers are making final preparations for this year's Fourth of July celebration.

The event is complete with food, live music, rock climbing and, of course, fireworks.

Fireworks, for many, are the highlight of any Fourth of July celebration. For more than 30 years, FreedomFest has been wowing crowds with its display.

Unfortunately, the 2009 fireworks display ended after just 13 minutes when some fireworks unintentionally exploded inside their launch tubes, causing a fire at the 21st Street Bridge staging area.

7/5/2009  Related Story: Tulsa Fireworks Show Fizzles

"We never anticipate what happened last year," said Tonja Pitzer of Tulsa River Parks Authority.

Pitzer says the mishap was unexpected and disappointing. It's also the first time they'd ever had a problem like it.

"Tremendously unfortunate, but we believe that company made the right decision in terminating the show at that point for safety purposes," said Pitzer.

However, this year it's a new celebration and a new company that's putting on the FreedomFest fireworks display. Organizers are confident this year's celebration will go off without a hitch.

"Well, of course, outdoor events are always risky, but this year we have contracted with one of the oldest and largest fireworks companies in the world, and that's Zambelli Fireworks," Pitzer said.

About 80,000 people are expected to watch the fireworks show, which is valued at $40,000 and funded by private donations. The show is planned to last 28 minutes.

"We always hope for the best and I'd say come on out and give it another try. It's a day full of family, fun, friends and fireworks," said Pitzer.

The Fourth of July fireworks display will be staged from the 21st Street Bridge and starts at about 9:30 p.m.

FreedomFest Information

Complete List of River Parks Activities

7/6/2009  Related Story: Tulsa RiverParks Working Out Fireworks Settlement