Freedom Fest 2014

•Freedom Fest schedule.

Pages 4-6

•Fireworks return for two nights, parade takes new route. Pages 3

Miguel Garate holds up a peace sign while carrying a large American flag with the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors during the Fourth of July parade last year.

Austin abuzz for Freedom Fest

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ummertime is festival time, and in Austin that means Freedom Fest. Our annual celebration of “community and country” will include four days of activities, July 3-6, entertaining and showcasing our community. More than 20,000 people attend events.

Community festivals, such as Freedom Fest, are about family, friends and neighbors. They are the direct result of people working together and pooling their resources together for the common good. They build community pride, strengthen relationships, showcase the community and enhance our quality of life.

And, yes, they’re good for business, too, as thousands of people stay home and invite others to join them for the celebration.

The community is abuzz with activity.

It takes a lot of resources to put on a celebration of this size, and

Sandy Forstner Austin Are Chamber of Commerce executive director

Chamber members deserve the credit for providing it. More than 150 businesses and organizations contribute to events; thank you all.

I hope everyone takes the time to spend some time in Austin during Freedom Fest. Look around, and enjoy all the great people and places that make this our community. It’s a good place to be, especially during Freedom Fest.

A few items of special note for this year’s festival: • We are featuring two nights of fireworks over Bandshell Community Park, July 3-4.

Fundraising went well and we were

able to not only add the additional night, but increase the budget for the grand display on the Fourth of July.

•The parade route will be different, this year, due to construction along North Main Street. The parade will start at the corner of Fourth and Fourth Northeast, next to City Hall, proceed to Main and then south to the park. Nearly 100 units are expected.

•Our Grand Marshal this year is local musical sensation, Molly Kate Kestner. Molly has become a national celebrity after millions of people viewed her song “His Daughter” on YouTube. She is an excellent ambassador for our city, and we thought this would be a great way for all to recognize her accomplishments. She will also perform on the bandshell stage, following the parade. Molly is the daughter of Kevin and Mary

Jane Kestner, owners of Kestner Electric.

•The rides and slides, provided

by Baldy’s Games in Bandshell Park, will be free of charge, this year, thanks to additional funding provided by The Hormel Foundation.

•Nearly 24 hours of musical entertainment is scheduled in Bandshell Community Park, July 3-4, and at Torge’s Live, the evening of July 3.

•Dozens of craft and food vendors will be on the grounds in Bandshell Park, July 3-4.

•A full day of sporting events and family activities will take place on the east side of Austin, July 5.

A complete listing of all activities is posted on the Chamber’s website, www.autincoc. com and on Pages 4, 5 and 6. Hope to see you all in Austin during Freedom Fest!

Members of the Austin High School Cheer Team walk in the parade last year.

Herald file photo

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THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Two nights of fireworks return during Freedom Fest

By Jason Schoonover

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ustin’s biggest celebration is returning with more flare this summer — two nights of flare to be exact.

The 2014 Freedom Fest, from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, will bring back a festival favorite by popular demand: Two nights of fireworks on July 3 and 4.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about is the return of the two nights of fireworks,” said Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Forstner.

Forstner said organizers know two things about the celebration: “People love the parade and they love the fireworks.”

“It’s quite a tradition here in Austin,” he added.

With North Main Street closed for work on an “invisible” flood wall along Mill Pond, the Fourth of July parade will feature an altered route. The parade will start at Austin Utilities, 400 Fourth St. NE, and move down Fourth Avenue Northeast before turning south onto Main Street North — its

“I think that will really be nice for kids,” Forstner said.

The Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant is expected to draw a crowd at 3:30 p.m. July 3.

The Kids Fishing Contest, the Hog Jog five-mile run and the 25-mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race all return July 5. The chamber is urging people to register early for the races at www. ymca-austin.org for the run and www. austincoc.com for the bike race; however, race-day registration is available for both.

However, The Hormel Institute’s “Walk for a Cancer-Free World” is not returning for a fourth year.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about is the return of the two nights of fireworks.”

-Sandy Forstner, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

normal route — and running to Bandshell Community Park.

“It’ll make a nice route, too,” Forstner said, noting there are many parking opportunities and the parade will still go through a commercial district.

The changed route will be about a block shorter and feature one turn.

Forstner said the parade will have a few more marching bands than 2013.

Fun and entertainment will return to Bandshell Community Park on July 3 and 4, with the bandshell entertainment featuring mostly Austin talent.

Inflatables at the park will be free on both days.

Twins Tyler, left, and Taylor Winkels enjoy Freezees along the parade route Thursday.

Herald file photo

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

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2014 Freedom Fest: Schedule of Events Thursday, July 3

—Bingo, presented by the Mower County veterans, at the Bandshell Community Park pavilion, 2-9 p.m.

—Jaycees Street Dance, featuring Amish Playboyz (outdoor stage) and Seeds (indoor stage) at Torge’s Live, 1701 Fourth St. NW; Cost: $5; tickets available at the door, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

—Captain Kirby’s train rides, Bandshell Community Park, 2-5 p.m.

—Kids Power Pedal Pull, Bandshell Community Park, registration at 4:30 p.m.

—Arts and crafts show along the path, Bandshell Community Park, 2-10 p.m.

Bandshell stage entertainment, 2-10 p.m.: (Paul Pruitt returns to emcee day two events) Food concessions and Jaycee’s Beer Garden available •Jane Taylor Academy of Dance, 2-2:30 p.m.

•Bridget’s Dance Conservatory, 2:45-3:15 p.m.

•Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant, 3:30-5 p.m. on the bandshell stage. Open to girls and boys ages 5 to 8. Registration forms available at the chamber, the YMCA, Overby Orthodontics, or online at www. facebook.com/littlemisssparkler or at www.austincoc.com.

•Riverland Theatre group (subject to change), 5:15-6:15 p.m.

•3 Lane Band, 6:30-8 p.m.

•Announcements, 8-8:30 p.m.

•Austin Symphony Orchestra, 8:30-10 p.m.

•Fireworks, dusk 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

ABOVE: Alex Schuster and Julie Nesvold react to winning the 2012 Little Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker pageant.

RIGHT: Charlotte Bliese laughs as she pets a llama at the Town & Country Day in the Park at Bandshell Park in 2013.

Herald file photo

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

2014 Freedom Fest: Schedule of Events Friday, July 4

—32nd annual Mini Piggy Fun Run, 10:45 a.m.

—Independence Day Parade, 11 a.m.

New parade route: The parade will line up in the parking lot of Austin City Hall and Austin Utilities, 500 and 400 Fourth St. NE, and move down Fourth Avenue Northeast before turning south onto Main Street North — its normal route — and running to Bandshell Community Park.

—Austin Fire Department water wars behind the bandshell on Ninth Place SW, 2-5 p.m.

—Ice cream social at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2-4 p.m. — free parking on July 3 and 4.

—Bean bag tourney north of the bandshell, 1 p.m. registration, 2 p.m. playing time. Call Shelley for more details at 507-440-0961.

—Bingo, presented by the Mower County veterans, at the Bandshell Community Park pavilion, 2-8 p.m.

ABOVE: A gymnast with the Austin YMCA does a flip during the 2013 Freedom Fest parade.

The parade returns at 11 a.m. July 4, but the parade will take a new route, starting near the utilities building.

RIGHT: A flag flaps in the wind as a color guard moves down Main Street during the Fourth of July parade.

BELOW: A girl runs during the Mini Piggy Fun Run before the parade on Main Street last year.

Herald file photo

Bandshell stage entertainment, 2-10 p.m.: •Opening ceremony/flag raising, 1:30-2 p.m.

•Austin High School mariachi band (subject to change), 2-3 p.m.

•Austin High School jazz band (subject to change), 5-6:15 p.m.

•The Austin Big Band, 6:30-8 p.m.

•Announcements/fireworks raffle drawings, 8-8:30 p.m.

•Austin Community Band, 8:30-10 p.m.

•Fireworks, dusk AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

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2014 Freedom Fest: Schedule of Events

LEFT: Doug Olson smiles as he crosses the finish line of the 5-mile Hog Jog in 2013 on Oakland Place Northeast along East Side Lake.

RIGHT: Austin native Brett Lewis, now of La Crosse, Wis., celebrates as he nears the finish line of Hog Jog. Herald file photo

Saturday, July 5

—Children’s fishing contest, 9-11 a.m. $2 entry fee with prizes for all; $50 for first place - age 15 and under. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

—Hog Jog five-mile run starting at East Side Lake Park, 8 a.m.

Pre-registration at the Austin YMCA or at www.ymca-austin. org; race-day registration 6:457:30 a.m. at the race site.

—Dan Ulwelling 25-mile bike race starting at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, noon start time, 11 a.m. registration. Online registration at www.austincoc. com. Registration fee: $12 by June 13; $15 after.

—Austin Eagles Club Summer Bash. Car show, noon-3 p.m.

Bingo at 2 p.m. Food served outdoors all day.

Sunday, July 6

—Morning Lions Fly-In Breakfast at the Austin Airport, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

People look on as racers begin the 25-mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race last year outside the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Herald file photo

Shaylene Langille of Alberta watches her line in East Side Lake during the Kids Fishing Contest in 2013.

The fishing contest returns from 9 to 11 a.m. July 5.

Herald file photo

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THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

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Molly Kestner named grand marshal of Fourth of July parade Molly Kate Kestner has had a busy 2014.

In spring, she rocketed to Internet fame with her YouTube single “His Daughter,” and then she competed for the 2014 Distinguished Young Woman national title.

In July, her hometown will recognize her for her big year by making her grand marshal of the Freedom Fest Parade July 4.

“She’s quite the celebrity and a very good student,” Chamber Executive Director Sandy Forstner said.

Kestner will also single at the bandshell.

YouTube fame Kestner, a 2014 Austin High School graduate, recorded and posted “His Daughter” to YouTube on April 20. The track was viewed more than 850,000 times within the first two weeks. It’s now been viewed more than 8.6 million times.

After the song went viral and attracted local and national media attention, Kesnter recorded the song for iTunes. It’s available for $1.29, along with an acoustic version for the same price.

“His Daughter” cracked the top 50 on the iTunes tops songs charts.

In May, Kestner made her national television debut as she appeared on ABC’s

“World News With Diane Sawyer.” ABC News called Kestner a “Cinderella still in the middle of her dance” and a “new sensation.”

She also performed on “Good Morning America.”

Despite her newfound fame, Kestner recently told the Herald she’s taking things slow as various offers roll in. She’s still set to attend North Central this fall.

A Distinguished Young Woman Molly Kestner traveled to Alabama to compete for the 2014 Distinguished Young Woman national title in late June.

After winning the Minnesota title, Kestner was one of 50 state representatives competing for a share of more than $150,000 in cash scholarships, as well as the title of Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2014.

“I kind of went into it just thinking it would be a fun experience and maybe [I would] get a little scholarship money,” Kestner said. “I’m super excited and it’s a huge honor, but it was a shock [to win].”

Distinguished Young Women is a large national scholarship program for high school girls, previously known as America’s Junior Miss.

Molly Kate Kestner plays music on her family’s piano earlier this spring. Kestner drew global attention after her song “His Daughter” went viral on YouTube in late April. Herald file photo

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THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD