Junction City Commissioners have authorized Freedom Fest JC as the city's 4th of July celebration in 2023. Dates for the festival will be June 30 - July 4. It will be held in the Heritage Park area and on surrounding streets.
During year one of Freedom Fest JC this past summer there were five nights of activities ranging from a carnival and sideshows to carnivals and vendors. Average crowds for the concerts were in the 3,000 to 5,000 range.
Organizers are planning to make the event bigger in 2023. Nate Butler reported that the carnival will return for all five days, 13 vendors are confirmed and more will be recruited. Bob Storey noted that a larger concert stage will be brought in covering 24 by 36 feet.
Plans are to bring in bigger acts including if there is enough funding, a national level act.
All Freedom Fest JC will be hosted in Junction City including the parade, veterans ceremony and Freedom Run. It was noted that Sundown Salute leadership was contacted and they did not want to do those latter three events.