If you plan on visiting Oxford, AL for the July 4th celebration, particularly Oxford Lake & Park for the Freedom Festival, there are a few important rules to be aware of:

Key Rules for July 4th at Oxford Lake Park:

No Personal Fireworks. For safety reasons, personal fireworks are prohibited at the park during the event. This includes bang snaps and sparklers.

No Drones. Drones are not allowed over park property, people, or vehicles.

No Alcohol. Have a safe and sober July 4^th celebration.

No Weapons. This includes gel guns. Zero tolerance.

Clear Backpacks Only. To ensure public safety, large bags and backpacks brought into the park must be clear. Coolers and backpacks are subject to being searched.

Helmets Required for Parade Participants. If you plan to participate in the parade on a bicycle or tricycle, you are required to wear a helmet.

Pets on Leashes Welcome. (with conditions): Pets are welcome on walking trails around the lake as long as they are kept on a leash and you clean up after them. 

Other general park rules apply.  No overnight parking. Use designated parking spots. 

Please clean up after yourself. Trash cans are available throughout the park. If they start to get full and overflow, we ask that you take it out if you brought it in.

Traffic Safety

Starting at 8:50 PM, no more incoming traffic will be allowed. All roads leaving the Oxford Lake Park area will be one-way only after the fireworks show. 

Clear Backpack Policy

The city of Oxford, Alabama, has instituted a "Clear Backpack Policy."  The aim of the policy is to prevent prohibited or hazardous items from entering the venue. Clear backpacks must be made of transparent material that security personnel can easily search. 

Why Is the Policy Important?

Security is of the utmost importance to the city of Oxford when large crowds gather for city events. Anything can happen in public settings, so it is essential to take the necessary precautions. A clear backpack policy is vital because it helps reduce the risk of security threats by allowing security officials to quickly search backpacks without disrupting the flow of people entering or exiting the venue.

Crowd Release Notice

Please be aware that by attending a city event in a city park in the city of Oxford, you are entering a space where photography, audio, and video recording may take place. 

As such, your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the city of Oxford and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising.

By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.

You understand that all photography, filming, and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the aforementioned, please do not enter the event premises
 

For the most up-to-date and complete information about the Freedom Festival and park rules, it's best to contact the Oxford Civic Center at (256) 831-2660.