Fireworks and lots of family fun will be part of the 34th annual Norman Day celebration on the Fourth of July at Reaves Park.

"We're looking forward to a day filled with excitement," said Recreation Supervisor Jeff Hill. "We've made this year's celebration leaner, packed with fun games and good music and the best fireworks display in the area."

The Norman Day celebration presented by the Norman Parks and Recreation Department begins at 4 p.m., with pony rides, food vendors and games galore. Some of the favorite activities that will be back this year are the softball tournament, the Baby Crawl and Toddler Trot, the Money Count Jar, the fourth annual Hot Dog Eating Contest and the Kiwanis Club watermelon celebration, with free watermelon being handed out from 6 p.m. until it's all gone.

Other attractions include Moon Bounces, the "Rock, Paper, Scissors" championship and the Norman Day Nickel Find.

The music will go from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Souled Out and will continue from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. with the John Arnold Band.

The Norman Day Fireworks Spectacular will begin around 9:45 p.m. and last about 30 minutes. The City of Norman spends about $25,000 on fireworks to entertain Norman citizens, Hill said.

Norman Day involves about 100 people from the City of Norman's Parks and Recreation Department, police and fire departments and EMSStat, Hill said.

"City employees enjoy working the event and being around the festivities," he said. "We try to keep it a family atmosphere, with something for everyone, from kids to adults."

For more information, check out the Web site at www.NormanFun.com.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com