Saturday night, August 31st, the Caddo Nation hosted a fireworks show at Ft. Cobb Lake State Park. It was incredible. Thank you to everyone who helped organize and put this event together! It was a great evening! Special thank you to Twin City Fire Dept., Fort Cobb Fire Department, Caddo Nation Fire Department, Caddo Nation Security, Fort Cobb State Park Staff, ABC Productions for putting on the show and a host of others.
The event was appreciated by everyone in attendance. Several reached out to say thank you. The fireworks event was initiated and largely organized by the Caddo Nation Tribal Administrator, Travis Threlkeld, who reached out to the State Parks and others as a way of
actively working to strengthen relationships with surrounding communities and create memorable experiences for tribal members and neighbors alike. The resulting recent fireworks show at Fort Cobb State Park, hosted by the Caddo Nation, exemplifies this approach and demonstrates the power of collaboration and community outreach.
"I was trying to think of things that would easily bring a community together, something that's free, something that incorporates a jurisdiction or a district that we haven't had a lot of stretch in in a while," Threlkeld shares. The idea for the fireworks show came to him about three months ago, and he immediately saw its potential to make a positive impact.
Choosing the Perfect Location
Fort Cobb State Park was selected as the ideal venue for several reasons. Threlkeld explains, "It's safe. You have Rangers. We know we have our security guards, but I said, it's a lake original jurisdiction of the tribe. It's our homelands. We have a lot of ties to that lake."
The location also held significance for the local community. "When you look at the data of those type of communities out there, sadly, there's a lot of people that can't afford to go to places to experience something like that, take their kids, everything like that," Threlkeld notes. By hosting the event at Fort Cobb, the Caddo Nation could provide a free, accessible experience for families who might otherwise miss out on such celebrations.
A Collaborative Effort
The fireworks show quickly became a collaborative effort, bringing together multiple agencies and community groups. Threlkeld reached out to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Fort Cobb State Park, finding enthusiastic partners who shared the same vision.
"We created a quick partnership there because we both wanted it for the same intent. We didn't want to make money off of it. We wanted it solely to bring the community together," Threlkeld recalls.
The list of participating organizations grew rapidly:
- Twin Cities Fire Department
- Fort Cobb Fire Department
- Fort Cobb State Park Rangers
- Caddo Nation Emergency Management
- Caddo Nation Security
"We had a meeting about it, and everyone was so excited to finally see a tribe stepping forward to coordinate things and create a place for memories in one location," Threlkeld says. The focus wasn't on what each group could gain, but on how they could collectively create a great experience for the community.
Special Arrangements for Caddo Elders
In a touching display of respect and appreciation, the Rangers at Fort Cobb State Park took the initiative to create a special area for Caddo elders. "The Rangers really pushed hard and heavy to create a space for just our Caddo elders," Threlkeld shares with pride. "Since we were sponsoring it, they wanted to show appreciation, and they created a space for just our Caddo people out there, if needed, and parking and everything."
This gesture deeply moved Threlkeld, reinforcing his belief in the power of community partnerships. "That said a lot to me that there's still people out there that don't take things for granted. They actually appreciate things, and that's hard to come by nowadays."
Impact and Future Plans
The fireworks show was a resounding success, drawing families from across the region and creating lasting memories. "Talking to all the people after the show, everyone was just thankful. They were begging for us to do it again," Threlkeld recalls. Many attendees expressed appreciation for having a safe, local event that didn't require extensive travel or expense.
The positive response has inspired Threlkeld to think even bigger for future events. "My goal going forward is to build off this. If we can try to do it yearly, let's get other tribes involved," he enthuses. He sees potential for collaboration with neighboring tribes like the Wichitas and Delawares, who also have historical ties to the area.
"Let's use this as an opportunity of all the good that came out of it. And let's let other people try to hop on and enjoy and be a part of providing goodness to the communities," Threlkeld says, his excitement palpable.
For Threlkeld, events like these represent more than just entertainment – they're about building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating shared experiences that strengthen the fabric of the community. "There's no amount of money you can put on it to see a smile on a kid's face or a small family that you know is going through a hardship, but they got to put all that out of their mind for just 10 to 15 minutes, and actually just enjoy the time, enjoy the outside," he reflects.
As the Caddo Nation continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like the fireworks show serve as examples of the tribe's commitment to community engagement and relationship-building. By bringing people together and creating positive shared experiences, the Caddo Nation is not only honoring its past but also paving the way for a bright and interconnected future.
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