June 30, 2023

6/30/2023

Friday | June 30, 2023

Fourth of July Celebration - Ponca City Style

The Fourth of July Holiday is on the horizon next week. Within Kay County, that means parades in Tonkawa and Blackwell and after dark fireworks displays everywhere. For us in Ponca City, The City and Parks & Rec does an excellent fireworks show at Lake Ponca, so don't miss that one. If you have a high vantage point without trees blocking the view, Kaw Lake, Tonkawa, Blackwell and other "in the country" displays are visible all night. Blackwell's parade begins at 10 am and Tonkawa's parade begins at Noon. Always a good time at those parades.

Keep in mind, there are no firework displays permitted with the city limits of Ponca City. Sparks fly and dogs get testy. And Ponca Lake is within city limits, so don't fire them off there either. Just fair warning. Enjoy your family and friends on this celebration of our freedom as a nation.

PCDA Trustees Tour Duke Building

Spec building Duke had visitors touring through its very new walls: PCDA Trustees and friends. In a Special Meeting posted at PCDA and City Hall, Duke was toured by PCDA Trustees, as well as Mayor Nicholson and Shelley Arrott, Ponca City Chamber CEO.

The 39,000 square foot building is 80% complete on the inside and is awaiting a few dry days to pour the concrete parking lot. Duke is ready for companies to check out its power and capacity. For your tour and more information, don't hesitate to call staff at the office, 580.765.7070.

Celebrate and Enjoy Community Events

The Ponca City community comes together regularly to support our community. Staff knows that sounds redundant, but it needs to be said. There are two opportunities before the fireworks go off on the Fourth to celebrate and assist our Ponca City community: Friday, June 30th at the Sean Anderson Memorial Fish Fry & Blood Drive at the Carolyn Renfro Event Center (see flyer below) and for all the Veterans and their families in our community, head out to Lake Ponca on Saturday, July 1st at 4 pm for some free hot dogs brought to you by The Veterans Landing and several other businesses and organizations in the community (again, flyer is below).

These types of events showcase the orgs in our community as they benefit friends and neighbors. And these aren't the only two events happening for the good of the community. Ask around to support other organizations including NERA, United Way and more. It's another great day in Ponca City.

Family Fun: Time for a Fox Hunt

This weekend and The Fourth of July are an excellent opportunity for a fox hunt right here in Ponca City. Between downtown murals and the large painted foxes located in front of multiple businesses, your kids and any visitors to Ponca will enjoy an early morning or late evening fox hunt. It's an Oklahoma Summer, so limit those high temperature, middle of the day outside excursions. Unless you are at Wentz or AMBUC Pools.

Click on the fox and check out all the central business district, downtown foxes. Stay foxy people. For more information on the fox statues in Ponca City,take the online tour here.

City Central Hosting Immersive Art

Were you one of the lucky 5,000 that toured the immersive art experience Seed Reef in the John McNeese Gallery located in City Central? Well, the collaborative artists group is at it again to bring Ponca City a bigger, faster, more engaging immersive art experience. This one will be an art experience based in a future world shaped by A.I. to train humanity to be a better species. Intrigued? So was staff. This exhibit will be at City Central in 2024.

Large collaborative projects like this immersive art event take a lot of planning, fundraising and volunteer time. Upcoming collaborative events include the Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sunday, October 15, Ponca Con on Saturday, November 4th and coming in 2024, The Iris Festival. Interested in assisting, volunteering time or want more information? Give the PCDA office a call and we will connect you with these collabs. Or just come to Business on the Balcony on Tuesday, July 11th. Staff will have ALL the info available that morning, 7 to 9 am.