Festival promises fun-filled day at lake

The Comanche Chamber of Commerce is revving up for its second annual Independence Day Fest this Saturday at Comanche Lake.

Following last year’s successful debut, Laura Lewis, chamber president, said organizers began to plan for the 2025 version almost immediately after the inaugural festival.

“We worked on all the things we wanted to correct from last year and corrected them this year,” Lewis said. “We have worked really well with the guidance of our city manager, Wayne McCasland.”

McCasland not only worked with the chamber on getting the event set up, but even offered some suggestions like moving the festival from the pit by the dam.

“He was the one who told us about putting it by the golf course because there is parking to accommodate over 100 cars there. We will still have the pit area for additional parking,” Lewis said. “We will have a fundraiser where people can catch a ride on a golf cart to the festival area if they want to for donations. So, if you park further away from the event, they can bring you. 

There will be approximately 30 vendors on site including booster clubs and new businesses.

“We definitely have more community involvement this year,” Lewis said. “We have local vendors this year and we have more food and drink vendors, so people will be able to come and stay all day without having to leave,” Lewis said. 

A couple of new features include a dunk tank sponsored by the Comanche wrestling team and Comanche Urgent Medical Clinic will have a hydration tent. It’s going to be more comfortable for everyone this year.”

Live music is also a new feature this year with many local musicians lined up including John Slaughter (2 p.m.), Missy Frye and Gaylon Blankenship (2:30 p.m.), Red Letter Avenue (4 p.m.), Cody Newby (5 p.m.), Allen Biffle (6 p.m.) and Reece Colin (7 p.m.).

The event kicks off at 2 p.m. and shuts down at 8 p.m. A fireworks show will be held at nightfall with professional fireworks display company Rushing’s Pyrotechnics handling the fireworks show.

“I’m excited, I think it’s going to be a great day,” Lewis said.

The golf course will be open and boating and fishing will be available all day.

“There are going to be a lot of activities for the kids,” Lewis said. “We’ll  have bounce houses and pony rides this year.”