This year’s parade theme is Mythology of Illusion. The parade begins at noon, but guests can enjoy hands-on activities offered by local organizations in Circle Village, in the field inside Wade Oval, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be a slew of tents offering free children’s activities. Kids can play a musical instrument, learn about summer safety and the environment and do crafts. Find out more about the workshops right here.
For adults, there’s a beer and wine garden. Local acts Cats on Holiday, Forecast and Faith & Whiskey will perform.
Admission is free. But do bring chairs or blankets and plan to arrive early: The spots with a view fill up fast.
Find fun photos of last year’s event right here.
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This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2018.


VERY fast. Get there VERY early. Been going for more than twenty years. We used to be among the handful who showed up around 9:30 or 10 in order to claim our favorite spot.. Not anymore. If you wait that long, it’ll already be a zoo. You snooze, you lose. The smart folks get there very early and are among the pioneers who watch the emptiness fill up with tens of thousands of people. It happens very quickly.
Parade the Circle has become like the Oklahoma Land Rush. Better to be a Sooner than a Too Later.
Parking spaces on nearby streets start filling up before 9 AM. Bring chairs or blankets and set them out early to get the best viewing spots along the curb. Have breakfast in the shade and watch the area fill up amazingly fast, with tens of thousands of spectators. The time goes by fairly quickly. The festivities begin at noon, but if you think you can just drive over at eleven and then find a good place to flop, think again.