Junction City Commissioners will be asked to approve Freedom Fest JC as the City's Fourth of July celebration when they meet Tuesday evening.
In 2022 Freedom Fest JC was held for the first time downtown while Sundown Salute moved many of their operations to Milford. The Sundown Salute parade, veterans ceremony and Freedom Run events were held in Junction City. City Manager Allen Dinkel said Freedom Fest was started last year in order to keep something downtown in Heritage Park.
Dinkel noted that the mix of the two celebrations with part of Sundown Salute in town didn't cause real problems, "but conflict for at least my staff members having to do different things for different organizations." Dinkel added Freedom Fest JC has already put out a notice that they will return in 2023 and this is an acknowledgement of that decision.
The approved 2023 City budget includes a donation by the City to Freedom Fest JC. The budget also includes traditional costs the City has had for a July 4th celebration in the past.
Dinkel is recommending to the commission that a single event in the community will make it easier for the City staff to coordinate labor, equipment and resources.