Thank you Edmond for a memorable 4th of July. The fireworks show was amazing, and it was 30minutes…read morelong! Prior to the fireworks show, there were food and drink vendors, activities for kids, and free watermelon at the UCO campus. Don't forget to check the libertyfest website for times and details. We ate dinner before going, and I'm glad we did because I only saw a few vendors: 2 food, 1 ice cream, 1 snow cone. The free watermelon was cool and sweet, perfect on a hot night. There were so many people at the UCO campus at 8:30pm that we decide to leave, re-park outside the campus, and watch the fireworks show from a distance to avoid getting stuck in traffic. The view from across the street was still beautiful. Someone had their radio tuned to the local station so we could hear the music synchronized to the fireworks. The station was mentioned on the libertyfest website so don't forget to check. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs or a blanket.

Here is the story of the Citizens Potawatomi Nations People!…read more A beautiful, modern museum, which conveys the history of the Citizens Potawatomi Nations People! You can spend several hours here absorbing the information. There is a lot of reading, but they also have many interactive video panels. There are not many artifacts, but there are many beautiful displays that depict the history of the nation. The museum does need to add a few benches, so you can rest your feet! Pay attention and you will leave knowing a few words of the Potawatomi language! Be sure to check out the gift shop!

I'm kicking myself in the butt for not taking pictures! This is another great place that I visited…read moreduring the 4th of July week. I'm always getting confused for Cherokee or other Indian tribes when I'm in Oklahoma...FYI: I'm Hispanic with Mexican descent. I don't look like your typical Latina...hence the reason I'm always getting confused for Native American. Love this museum. We learned all the hardships the Potawatomis endured during the take over by the white man. Very sad history...but some of it is very interesting. There are family trees, pictures, artifacts, video....there is so much to look at. Totally bring the kids for a history lesson.

Something to note in this: I have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder.) I say this because it matters,…read moreespecially when you get to how I got treated there. If you're tribal, this isn't a bad place to be. You'll be treated way better than the non-tribal employees. Sadly for me, I'm not tribal. I worked at the Firelake Grand Casino as third shift security. For nearly three months, I listened to a long list of comments from a housekeeper that had a bit of a crush on me. Needless to say, it got disturbing really fast. The comments started with how she had hoped I would ask her out, progressed to how and if I ever left my wife, we could be together, and finally went into asking my co-workers about me when I wasn't there. The fact that I told her that I was married did not matter. I made a complaint with the third shift security supervisor, who basically swept it under the rug. Within 48 hours, I wrote out a complaint, gave it to another security supervisor, and it went to HR. Because of this, I got chewed out by my shift supervisor, something that is actually illegal but this tribe does whatever it wants without regard to the law. From there, I endured three weeks of targeted retaliation from two of my three supervisors, one being the security shift supervisor. During this time, I was written up (the first write-up ever in my work history) for having a phone after the casino closed. Our supervisor approved of this, nobody else got wrote up either, just me. I was reprimanded for making the harassment complaint, I informed them that if a woman had made this complaint, none of the things that were happening would be happening. I was met with hostility on nearly every occasion in which I tried to speak to the supervisors, meanwhile, the girl I made the report against, was still conducting herself as she had before the report. Finally, on 4/14/2023, I was suspended from work without explanation. All I was told was that an investigation had begun... not against the girl but rather it was against me. Three days later I was terminated for allegedly making a threat, though they couldn't seem to explain what threat it was that I had made nor against who. It boiled down to this: I got fired for being a man who filed a harassment claim against a female co-worker, an act that very clearly angered my immediate supervisors. Out of retaliation, they fired me for it but had to give a reason that seemed legal. What they didn't know was this: I recorded that phone call. This place is a terrible place to work, you mean nothing to them and if you're non-tribal, you're walking on glass as far as your employment there goes.

I was reading my Monthy newsletter from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation when I thought why not Yelp…read moreit so here it is. When my son was born my grandmother told me that I must register myself and my son as tribal members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It was important to her because my grandfather was proud of his heritage. So I registered (certified birth certificate showing my relationship to my father who was registered). They offer low income housing for those living at the reservation and social services. The tribe has pow wow's across the nation so those that do not live in Oklahoma have an opportunity to learn about the culture, have some food and watch the dancers dressed in traditional attire. I have attended a couple of them where I live in Los Angeles. Mission Statement The Cultural Resources Department of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation serves the enrolled membership of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the local community, the greater Native American community, and the people of the United States. We will maintain, protect, and nurture our culture, our spiritual beliefs, and our historic values, through the celebration of our unique traditions, language, and sovereignty. Promoting education is a corner stone of our mission. We will provide opportunity to, and support the academic endeavors of, our youth. We will acknowledge, respect, and utilize the wisdom of our tribal elders who provide guidance for our future generations. We will protect and maintain our tribal lands, its architectural features, and other natural resources. No...I do not get any income from being a member like some do in other tribes.. www.potawatomi.org

Check the weather, because if there is any wind they won't do balloon flights, just short tethered…read morerides. What a blast! Great live music, dancing, lots of food, beer, vendors, carnival rides, and of course hot air balloon rides. Carnival and balloon rides continue past 10:00 pm, live music until around 11:00 pm. It's all very laid back and fun. A few negatives..Beer vending is only bottled Budweiser. No outside food or drink is allowed. No dogs. Line for balloon rides forms late afternoon, not sure what it costs or how to pay. Food options are as diverse as I've ever seen, from po' boys to gourmet grilled cheese even bratwursts. Plus they coordinate an outdoor expo next door at the Firelake Arena on the same weekend, so there is a lot to do and see. Crowd surges at dusk, before the last band plays, when thousands come to watch the "Glow". That's when a dozen or so hot air balloons light up all at the same time. It's pretty spectacular! Also expect plenty of security and volunteers for any needed directions or aid. They even supply air conditioned cooling yurts if you get overheated. Parking is plentiful if you arrive before evening, and gets hectic if you leave with the masses right after the Glow. Stay for some music and the traffic gets much better. Our family had such a good time, we'll surely be back next year...BUT...I do wish the ballooning was less weather sensitive. They are just being super cautious for safety's sake.

This is a nice museum located on the Old Saint Gregory's Campus. The gin stated it was one if the…read moreoldest museums in Ok. It was started and name after a monk who traveled and collected a lot of the items. There is a mixture of fine art all the way to educational programs. Prices vary depending on when you go.

Small museum but nice! Didn't get to see all of it because we came for the mummies! They had so…read moremany activities and things to do that we didn't get any further but we made a day of it and had a great time!