{
    "title": "UCO Welcomes LibertyFest Fireworks Back to Campus",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-12 16:50:45",
    "published_at": "2026-05-12 16:22:00",
    "url": "https://news.uco.edu/uco-welcomes-libertyfest-fireworks-back-to-campus",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/ivGd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "May 12, 2026",
    "slug": "uco-welcomes-libertyfest-fireworks-back-to-campus",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\">The LibertyFest fireworks show will return to the University of Central Oklahoma campus for the 2026 celebration. \u200b </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">UCO President Todd G. Lamb and representatives from LibertyFest, the Edmond Police Department, the Edmond Fire Department and the City of Edmond gathered for a ceremonial signing to commemorate the renewed partnership, officially bringing the beloved community tradition back to Central for the first time in nearly a decade. The event&#039;s return reflects UCO&rsquo;s continued commitment to serving the Edmond community.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;We are excited to welcome the LibertyFest fireworks back to the University of Central Oklahoma campus,&rdquo; President Lamb said. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;The return of the fireworks show is all the more special as the university, City of Edmond and LibertyFest come together to celebrate the 250<sup>th</sup> birthday of our great nation. We look forward to providing a vibrant, safe and memorable celebration for the entire community.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Known as one of the major fireworks displays in the Oklahoma City metro area, the LibertyFest fireworks show will begin around 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4, on Central&rsquo;s campus. Community members are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.</p><p>&quot;LibertyFest is thrilled to return our fireworks display to the University of Central Oklahoma as we honor a momentous convergence of history: the 250th anniversary of American Independence and the Centennial of Route 66,&quot; said Eriech Tapia, president and communications director of LibertyFest.</p><p>&quot;Join us as we light the night sky to celebrate our freedom and great nation.&quot;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Now in its 54<sup>th</sup> year, LibertyFest offers a week of family-friendly events. As part of the festivities, the UCO School of Music&rsquo;s Summer Band will also present the annual Concert in the Park at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25, on the lawn between Mitchell Hall Theatre and the Lillard Administration Building. The free, hour-long performance will feature patriotic favorites.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">For more information on LibertyFest, visit <a href=\"https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.libertyfest.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdsteiner%40uco.edu%7C5c7ae079c8514d58af4808deafa5a999%7C51aa8f262e234b8cbca87cc441adc4df%7C0%7C0%7C639141323231624838%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=iF7tv9CBtiU9U1RqGoSxxqxkCnG%2FbIJycAhzbyYNtZA%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>LibertyFest</u></a>.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">For more information on UCO, visit <a href=\"https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uco.edu%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdsteiner%40uco.edu%7C5c7ae079c8514d58af4808deafa5a999%7C51aa8f262e234b8cbca87cc441adc4df%7C0%7C0%7C639141323231649663%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wQuuQcerrH4S1%2FSrfcJrZcyAj7LrH0tDxkUIfmRlgPw%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>www.uco.edu</u></a>. </p><p style=\"text-align: center\">(end)</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-d7da7385-ce49-45b6-8d05-bd6cb84f9f2b\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/eee27d1a-e66c-4fc6-ba8f-5f011b0c5414/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Devan Wielgos\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Devan Wielgos</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:dwielgos@uco.edu\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"dwielgos@uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>dwielgos@uco.edu</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:405-974-2127\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"405-974-2127\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>405-974-2127</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.uco.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>uco.edu</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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    "contacts": [
        {
            "name": "Devan Wielgos",
            "company": "UCO University Communications",
            "description": "Communications and Marketing Coordinator",
            "email": "dwielgos@uco.edu",
            "website": "https://www.uco.edu",
            "address": null,
            "telephone": "405-974-2127",
            "mobile": null,
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        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Sarah",
        "last_name": "Ward"
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