Jul 01, 2022

Thundershowers deal Freedom Fest JC and Sundown Salute a curve

Posted Jul 01, 2022 3:18 AM

Multiple rounds of rain Friday evening stopped the Freedom Fest JC celebration early and led to the cancellation of Sundown Salute for the evening. 

In Junction City, Freedom Fest JC Co-Chair Nate Butler said early on a storm moved through and caused a delay in the performance by Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls but they were able to finish their show and festival goers returned to Heritage Park. But then more weather moved in.  "We had a little bit of rain showers as the second band, Paramount, was preparing to take the stage." That caused a delay and eventually celebration officials met and made a tough decision. "So Bob Story and I, chairmen, got together and said we need to make this call and just cancel for the evening, said Butler. He emphasized safety was a huge factor in the decision to call off the night early.

The celebration will continue Saturday with numerous activities including from Freedom on Wheels in the morning where 18 bicycles and a substantial number of helmets will be given away. There will be education on such topics as bike safety and fitting helmets correctly. The Circus Man, Agri Puppets and Hog Diggity Dogs will perform. The concert lineup includes the 1st Infantry Division Army Rock Band at 4:30, ZZ KC at 6:30 and the Rock Gods at 8:30. There will be a  fireworks extravaganza at 10 p.m.

Sundown Salute concerts in the Milford City Park were supposed to begin at 8 p.m. Committee Chair Michelle Stimatze said there was a major downpour and a lot of lightning. The weather cleared up some but then another rain cell came through. 'They had to cover everything up on the stage." Officials studied all of the other cells moving in the direction of the festival, said Stimatze. "It was a decision we needed to make for safety issues."

The Sundown Salute lineup for Saturday includes Special Forces at 8 p.m., Tracy Lebo at 9:30 and Peace Love & Music at 10 p.m.