Clarification was given and rumors dispelled regarding the Let Freedom Ring 2009 celebration as part of a town hall meeting held Tuesday morning at High Plains Technology Center.
The biggest rumor that has been circulating around town regards what is free and what is not at the park over the July 4 weekend. City Manager Allen Riffel said all entertainment in the park is free, except for the events held inside Crystal Beach Stadium. Those will require a ticket.
Events held at Crystal Beach Stadium include concerts held on July 3 and July 4 and an address by former President George W. Bush on July 4.
Riffel also said most of the current park work, except for Fuller Park and some of the baseball fields, will be completed in time for the celebration.
“The stadium is virtually finished at this point,” Riffel said. “The water park is along the same lines.”
All that is missing from the two are a few finishing touches Riffel said. He mentioned that on Monday crews at the water park were testing out the fountains.
The water park will be open on July 4. On July 3 the municipal pool will be open to the public, but will close after that day.
People will be allowed to swim for free in the water park beginning at 11 a.m. on July 4. Riffel said wristbands will be given out to 500 people for two hour sessions. Wristbands are currently available at Crystal Beach Municipal Pool if families have a preference for the time they wish to swim.
The wristbands will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be requested through July 4. The water park will close at 5 p.m. on July 4.
While people are not at the water park they can listen to free music at the Crystal Beach Bandshell. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day performances from different bands and entertainers will be held.
Matt Lehenbauer, Woodward County and city emergency management director, said visitors can bring in folding camp chairs.
Bleachers and picnic tables will be available for use in the area. Tents will also be set up to provide shade.
Coolers, however, will not be allowed in Crystal Beach Park. Instead, there will be hydration stations located throughout the park where free water bottles will be handed out. There will also be food and drink available for purchase, including beer and wine.
The city is expecting 20,000 people to come to Woodward over the Fourth of July weekend. Although “that may easily be exceeded” Riffel said.
The massive amount of people coming to town for the weekend will necessitate a massive amount of volunteers to make sure the event will flow smoothly.
Housing is another issue and Jim Curtis, Woodward tourism director, said residents have opened their homes to rent. About 10 people have offered their homes to visitors for a fee and about four people have offered their RVs.
For those who are interested in volunteering for the Let Freedom Ring 2009 celebration or who wish to let their homes be available for visitors, contact Jim Curtis at the Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau at 256-9990.
*****
Key information
Tickets:
Tickets range from $25 for general admission up to $500 for an oval office package, which includes parking at the stadium and complimentary beverages. The $500 package is for Saturday night only. There is no arena floor seating on Friday night.
Tickets can be purchased at
www.letfreedomring209.com or by calling 580-256-7200 or at LLpro offices in the K-101 Centre.
Tickets can also be purchased at the gate, but the cost is $10 more.
Parking:
Unpaved parking at the park will be at the far northeast portion of the soccer fields and also just north of Crystal Beach Stadium between there and the roundup club arena.
General public traffic should enter the park from Lakeview Drive.
Parking will not be allowed along the roadside.
Off-site lots with shuttles include Woodward High School, 13th and Downs and the First Assembly of God Church, 3906 Lakeview. Overflow lots will be at Mutual of Omaha, 3200 Oklahoma and the First Baptist Church, 202 East Hanks Trail.
Lots will open at 8 a.m. each day. Shuttles run every 30 minutes beginning at 8:45 a.m. and ending at 1:15 a.m.
Shuttles drop-off and pick-up people from Crystal Beach Park near the miniature golf course just southwest of Crystal Beach Stadium. Shuttles run from the park every half-hour beginning at 9 a.m. and running until 1 a.m.
Hydration stations and porta-potties will be available at each of the parking lots and throughout the park.
Miscellaneous
Wendell Plank Drive will be open and should be the primary road used to enter the park from Lakeview Drive. It is the first east-west road coming south on Lakeview Drive from Oklahoma Avenue.
Jim-Ben Drive will be closed for the July 4 weekend. Temple Houston Drive will be open on July 3, but will be closed for July 4.
Camping, weapons of any kind, fireworks, coolers, ATVs, golf carts and signs are not allowed in Crystal Beach Park.
The golf course is closed on July 4, but open on July 3.
Programs will be available with parking instructions, directions and other information about Let Freedom Ring 2009. They can be purchased for $2 beginning July 1 at booths set up around the entrances to Woodward.
Large signs will be displayed outside of the booths stating that programs and maps are available there.
*****
Schedule
Friday, July 3
9 a.m. - Crystal Beach Park opens to public: food vendors, kid’s games.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Entertainment at the bandshell
Chelsay Adams and Bobbi Castor
Jason In Frozen
Courtney Young
Heather Rasmussen
Mikel and the Blood Washed Blues Band
Ashley Baumgartner
The Pursuit Band
Rauchell Clark
Long Ride Band
The Range Gang Band
Lauren Turner
5 p.m. - Let Freedom Ring Little Queen and King contest at the bandshell for 5-under kids.
5:30 p.m. - Let Freedom Ring Concert at Crystal Beach Stadium.
Bo Phillips, Mike McClure, Asleep at the Wheel, Tanya Tucker, Stoney LaRue.
After the concert - dancing and music at the Woodward County Fairgrounds.
Saturday, July 4
7:30 a.m. - Firecracker 5K run at Crystal Beach Park. Course goes through the park and municipal golf course, ending at the pool concession area. Benefit for WHS cross country team.
8 a.m. - Community pancake breakfast at pool concession area. Proceeds benefit cross country team.
9:30 a.m. - Ribbon cutting ceremony at Crystal Beach Water Park.
10 a.m. - Food vendors, kids games and more.
10 a.m. - Ambucs turtle races, south of the bandshell. Registration starts at 9 a.m.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Entertainment begins at the bandshell
Chris Castor Band
Oklahoma City Opry
Ashley Baumgartner
Northwest Passage Band
Heather Rasmussen
Emily Sanders
Noon - Woodward Elks and BPW free hot dog feed, first come, first served.
4 p.m. - Crystal Beach Stadium gates open.
Evening includes an address by former President George W. Bush, then a park dedication by Mayor Bill Fanning to mark the park’s 80th year. That’s followed by performances from Marty Stuart and Sawyer Brown.
11 p.m. - Fireworks spectacular followed by dance at the fairgrounds.
Events are being put on by Landon Laubhan Productions, K-101 Radio and Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau.
