Edmond Life and Leisure - July 3, 2025

Edmond volunteer died last weekend

One of Edmond’s best volunteers fell asleep in the Lord this past weekend. If you attended the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival over the last 30 years you would have seen our longtime friend Phil Wallace doing every job, there is to volunteer for during the event. Phil had a stroke last week and could not hang on over the weekend. He is loved and will be greatly missed.

Phil was probably an unwilling volunteer when he started at the arts festival. His late wife, Bryanne Wallace, was in charge of the festival for many years. As most husbands know, if their bride participates in something they are soon to follow. Phil was already involved in several activities in Edmond including civic clubs. He later fell in love with the event, and we all loved him.

Phil missed his wife so much when she died but he motored on knowing that is what she would want. His sense of humor is what kept him going. I worked ice delivery with him many times and had a blast. He would have me laughing so hard my sides would hurt and at other times he made me listen intently to a story about his time as an Oklahoma City high school administrator. They put Phil in charge of one of the toughest high schools they had, and he was up to the challenge.

He was tough but caring at the same time for the kids. He expected much out of them and wanted them to do the same for themselves. The only thing he loved more than volunteering and the kids he served was his wife and family. He often helped his wife run her dress shop in downtown Edmond. He usually was not the customer service guy since his low filter made him not so well suited for dress shop customers.

We will miss you old friend. You are now reunited with Bryanne, and you can relax because she will return to being in charge. I am sure she has a list for you.

4th of July in Budapest, is it?

I was just curious how many folks are spending their three-day weekend in Budapest, Hungry. You might think that it could not be quite common but not according to a Viking cruise customer service representative from a few years ago. Let me explain.

I have been on three Viking cruises. The first one was magical as well as the third one, but things went way wrong on the middle cruise. The ships are wonderful, and the crew is great but the management in the home office lacks skills. The cruise was going fine until a lock was damaged down river from us record for most hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes (76), is a notable participant. The contest attracts between 35,000 to 50,000 spectators.

LIBERTYFEST PARADE REMINDERS:

Roads will close around 8 a.m. on FRIDAY (July 4th). All roads along and inside the parade route will not be accessible. The start of the parade will launch at the intersection of Ayers and University at 8:45 a.m.

No parking is allowed along the parade route. Any vehicles parked in this area will be towed beginning at 7 a.m. Citylink Edmond will not be in service on the 4th of July outside of the special routes operating to shuttle spectators to and from the LibertyFest Parade in Downtown Edmond. Visit https://www.edmondok.gov/205/Citylink-Edmond for more details.

TEMPORARY PARK CLOSURE: Due to the setup and firing of the Libertyfest Fireworks at Hafer Park, vehicular traffic will be closed in the park on July 4th. This closure will last all day and is necessary to ensure pedestrian and spectator safety before and after the show.the show.

We hope you and your family have a safe and incredibly happy 4th of July and we will see you out and about!

(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)