The Fourth of July in Pawhuska provides a small-town Independence Day experience with a big dose of charm. Located in northeast Oklahoma in the heart of Osage County, Pawhuska (pop. 3700) offers a fantastic blend of activities, food, music, and fireworks for creating a memorable holiday.

The Freedom Celebration Parade

Kick off your 4th of July with the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce’s Freedom Celebration Parade at 9:30 a.m.

This charming, non-motorized parade features local participants (and visitors) marching, biking, and riding wagons (as well as horses!) decked out in costumes and red, white, and blue.

Grab a spot on Main Street to cheer on the parade participants and soak in the patriotic spirit. No need to arrive too early, as there is plenty of space for viewing. But don’t be late – the parade starts at 9:30 am and only lasts about 10 minutes!

The parade begins at the intersection of Main and Prudom in downtown Pawhuska and ends at City Hall three and a half blocks west of the starting point. A panel of judges awards prizes for:

• Funniest
• Best Pet
• Best Wheels
• Best Family
• Most Patriotic
• Most Original
• Most Outrageous

Parade participants can pre-register at the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce by July 3. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on July 4 in the parking lot behind American Heritage Bank with the parade starting at 9:30 a.m.

For more information about the parade or to register, call the Chamber of Commerce at (918) 287-1208.

What to bring to watch the parade

• A portable folding chair
• Sunscreen and a hat (it’s often sunny and hot)
• Water to stay hydrated
• Bag for kids to pick up candy/prizes
• A patriotic spirit! Feel free to dress in red, white, and blue
• Small American flags to wave

Eats and treats in Pawhuska, Okla.

Following the parade, head to Pawhuska City Hall for some post-parade refreshments in the courtyard. Enjoy complimentary hotdogs, pulled chicken sandwiches, homemade cobbler, and water. These mid-morning treats are a perfect way to fuel up for the rest of your day.

A special thanks to the Helmer Oil Co., Frank and Monica Reeves, United Methodist Women, and the Thomas Family for their donations of food and beverages in 2024.

PIN FOR LATER

Explore the The Pioneer Woman shops and restaurants

No trip to Pawhuska is complete without a visit to The Pioneer Woman Mercantile. The Mercantile offers a delightful shopping experience.  Browse kitchen essentials, home goods, clothing, gifts and so much more.

Then, head down the street to Ree Drummond’s The Pioneer Woman Collections store. There, you’ll find more Pioneer Woman clothing, dishes, household goods, and even furniture.

More Pioneer Woman favorites

Across the street from The Pioneer Woman Collection store, you’ll find Charlie’s Sweet Shop – named after the Drummond’s beloved basset hound. Stop by for a scoop of Tillamook ice cream or indulge in a scrumptious sundae. It’s a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July in Pawhuska.

Just above Charlie’s is The Pioneer Woman’s P-Town Pizza. This pizzeria serves up made to order thin-crust pizzas, salads, and other Italian fare. Be sure to order the Not Knots! You can thank us, later. There’s also a bar at P-Town Pizza where you can cool off with a cold beer, cocktail, or glass of chilled wine. They often have special drinks for the occasion (we highly recommend the Adult Cherry Limeade – in moderation).

The Lodge on Drummond Ranch is typically also open to visitors on the Fourth of July. Check The Mercantile website for specific dates and times. And, be sure to read our blog post about tips for your visit to the Lodge before you go.

Throughout the day on the Fourth of July in Pawhuska

The Pioneer Woman’s Patriotic Party on the Prairie will be downtown on Kihekah Ave. July 4, 2024. Activities on the street will start at noon — including rock climbing, a mechanical bull, and carnival games. Street foods will be plentiful, so come hungry. In the past, there’s been corn on the cob, smoked brisket sandwiches, and our favorite – steak bites. There are lots of tables and chairs, so you can eat your meal seated.

Live music will kick off at the bandstand at 4 p.m. There is a stellar lineup of performers that will be playing all through the night. So, bring your dancing shoes.

Small-Town Fun: Beyond the Parade

In addition to the downtown festivities, there are dozens of things to do in Pawhuska. Explore the town’s unique shops, art galleries, and museums. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, head out to Bluestem Lake, drive through the Tallgrass Prairie, or walk along the shaded Osage Trail.

You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants. A few of the other local favorites include the new Saucy Calf, Dirty Laundry, Trigger’s BBQ, Bad Brads, Buffalo Joe’s, Simple Simons Pizza, and El Jalisco. Pawhuska also has fast food, including Subway, McDonalds, Sonic, and Casey’s.

Fireworks Finale

While the City of Pawhuska doesn’t have an official fireworks display, Ladd Drummond and the local cowboys put on a spectacular show. The fireworks will begin at dusk and believe us, they are worth sticking around for. Word on the street is that in 2024 there will be more than 25,000 shots!

Fireworks are typically shot from the parking lot near the Osage County Courthouse. There are great viewing opportunities from just about anywhere in the downtown area.

Tips for Celebrating the Fourth of July in Pawhuska

• Bring a chair or blanket for the parade and the firework display.
• Pack sunscreen and a hat – Oklahoma weather can get hot in July.
• Need a cold drink? Fountain drinks are 50% off during Happy Hour at Handy’s (corner of Main and Lynn Ave.) each day from 10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.
• Don’t forget your camera! Capture all the festive moments of your Pawhuska adventure and tag us on social media at @postcardjar.

Getting to and staying in Pawhuska

Pawhuska is located in northeast Oklahoma in Osage County. It is a two-hour drive from Wichita and about an hour north of Tulsa.

If you’re planning to fly to Oklahoma, the nearest main airport with service for American, Delta, Southwest, United, and Allegiant airlines is Tulsa International Airport (TUL). The airport is located in north Tulsa 56 miles (approx. 1 hour) southeast of Pawhuska.  Travelers may rent transportation from most major car rental companies including Avis, Dollar, Hertz, Enterprise, National, Budget, Alamo, and Thrifty.

As for places to stay, there are dozens of vacation rentals in Pawhuska, including ours we call Postcard Place.

We hope you’ll visit Pawhuska

However you get here, celebrating Independence Day in Pawhuska offers a refreshing alternative to big city celebrations. With its small-town charm, friendly atmosphere, and unique activities, Pawhuska promises a memorable 4th of July filled with Americana spirit. If you have any questions, just let us know in the comments section below. We’re happy to help.