By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
The fifth annual Freedom Fest JC celebration brought large crowds to Heritage Park in downtown Junction City July 1-5 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
The celebration began on Wednesday, July 1, with local youth singing patriotic songs about the USA and then continued with the Freedom Sings USA organization partnering with local veterans to tell their stories through music. The stage was lit up with great music all the way through the five-day celebration.
Other highlights included the WEEE Carnival, the Dinosaur Show, Foam Zone, the Freedom Run, Parade, and Fireworks.
The biggest day of the celebration every year is the Fourth of July, and this year was no different. Festivities began at 7:30 a.m. with the Freedom Run, and the full day concluded with a packed crowd in Heritage Park for the live music and fireworks show at 10:00 p.m.
Freedom Fest organizers believe that Saturday, July 4, was the biggest night they have had as the Freedom Fest organization. They are estimating between 7,000 and 10,000 people were in the park.
"Freedom Fest this year was one of the most outstanding ones that I've been involved in," Freedom Fest Co-Director Bob Story said about the event.
Story added, "The experience was just overwhelmingly joyful. We had great people, no problems, it was just awesome."
A summertime Fourth of July celebration in Junction City has always been a staple. With this year's crowd estimated at over 50,000 attendees for the five-day event, the question turns to, "Will Freedom Fest be back next year?"
"I think so," Bob Story, Co-Director of Freedom Fest, stated in an interview with KJCK Radio. "I think there are going to be some adjustments with some things, such as some of the rides having to be moved like they were this year, but there would be no reason for it not to come back."
"What a great event for Junction City," Story said.
