The City of Lawton is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion of its annual Birthday Celebration! This year, in honor of Lawton’s founding, which was August 6, 1901, the festivities won’t be limited to just one day — they’ll span the entire week leading up to the main event on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Wayne Gilley Auditorium at Lawton City Hall.
New this year, the City will host a series of community birthday parties from Monday through Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at various local centers:
• Monday, July 28th – H.C. King Center (1705 NW 20th Street)
• Tuesday, July 29th – Patterson Center (4 NE Arlington Drive)
• Wednesday, July 30th – Owens Multipurpose Center (1405 SW 11th Street)
Each event will feature hot dogs, cake, ice cream, bounce houses for kids, and fun for the whole family. In addition, attendees will be treated to nightly Lawton trivia games — a fun and educational way to celebrate the city’s history. The trivia will culminate in a grand showdown at the main event on July 31.
This year’s theme and performance will focus on General Henry Ware Lawton, the city’s namesake. General Lawton was a Medal of Honor recipient who served with distinction in the Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War. Known for his bravery, leadership, and dedication to public service, General Lawton's legacy is a source of pride for the community.
The grand finale on July 31 will also feature the presentation of several prestigious awards honoring outstanding individuals and organizations that exemplify service, leadership, and community spirit in Lawton. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., the cake-cutting will commence at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 6 p.m.
As part of the celebration, the City is currently seeking the youngest and oldest Lawtonians whose birthdays fall on or near August 6, the actual day of Lawton’s founding. These individuals will be honored with a special role in the official cake-cutting ceremony on July 31. If you or someone you know fits the bill, please send your name, age, date of birth, and contact information to publicaffairs@lawtonok.gov.
For updates, follow the City of Lawton on social media or visit lawtonok.gov.
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