Community and country Austin gets ready to celebrate the Fourth of July
By Sandy Forstner Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
P
lans are set and we’re ready to “celebrate community and country” during Freedom Fest, June have made to keep us free. Veterans 30-July 4, right here in Austin. We lead our parade on the Fourth of July hope you plan to join us. and the kick off our stage entertainA celebration of comment after the pamunity and country rade with a tribute sums up our festival for and flag-raising “Freedom Fest is a ‘red, obvious reasons. But ceremony. The white and blue’ event to they are important, be sure, with an empha- pathways along nonetheless. Bandshell Park are sis on recognizing our Freedom Fest has been veterans and the service decorated with organized here for 32 flags purchased and sacrifices they have years in conjunction with in recognition made to keep us free.” Independence Day. Earof veterans. And lier versions of our local — Sandy Forstner veterans from celebration were called across the county Cedar River Days. The come together to name changed several host bingo in the times over the years, but Freedom Fest Veterans Pavilion all day on both July has stuck since 2005. 3 and 4. Make sure you stop in to say Freedom Fest is a “red, white and hello, thank them and maybe play a blue” event to be sure, with an emlittle bingo! phasis on recognizing our veterans See FOURTH, Page 4 and the service and sacrifices they
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD FREEDOM FEST
Danika Jensen smiles as she walks during the Freedom Fest parade last year on Fourth Avenue Northeast in downtown Austin. Herald file photo WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017
1
2017 FREEDOM FEST SCHEDULE June 30
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser at Accentra Credit Union, 400 Fourth Ave. NE. Hotdogs, Spam Burgers and ice cream bars will be sold. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free Peace Garden Concert at the Hormel Historic Home. Performance by the Austin Community Jazz Band. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Jaycees Street Dance at Torge’s Live Sports Pub and Grill, 1701 Fourth St. NW. Six to Midnight will perform outside from 8 p.m.midnight and Severe Logic will perform inside from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $5 cover charge at the door.
July 1
8 a.m. 35th Annual Hog Jog Five Mile Run at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Pre-register at the YMCA or online at www.ymca-austin.org. 10 a.m.-noon. Kids Free Fishing Contest at Eastside Lake. Prizes for all. $50 first place. Ages 15 and under. Registration on site beginning at 9:30 a.m. 11 a.m. 25-Mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race at the Jay C. Hormel Nature
2
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017
ABOVE: Bikers ride into the finish line at the Dan Ulwelling Bike Race last year. LEFT: Aedyn Perry Proulx caught this 1 pound, 4 ounce bass at the Kid’s Fishing Contest last year. Herald file photos Center. Registration begins at 11 a.m., race begins at noon. Entry fee is $15. Register in advance at the Chamber, 329 N Main St. For more information, go to www.austincoc.com. 2-11:30 p.m. Car Show and Parking Lot Party at the Austin Eagles. Car show runs from 2-4 p.m., registration begins at noon. Outside bar and grill. Live music performances by DJ-Nick Braaten from 2-4 p.m., Who Let the Mommas Out from 4:30-7 p.m. and Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50’s from 7:30-11:30 p.m. About 9 p.m. Moonlight Movie Night at Bandshell Park. Free outdoor movie, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Bring your lawn chair or blanket.
July 2
7 a.m.-1 p.m. Austin Morning Lions Fly-In Breakfast at the Austin Municipal Airport. 10:30 a.m. Church at the Bandshell at Bandshell Park. Community worship service hosted by Cornerstone Church. Includes food trucks and yard games.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD FREEDOM FEST
Marry Anna Sprengeler, 4, of Denver, Colorado, holds a flag as she watches the Freedom Fest parade last year in Austin.
July 3 BANDSHELL PARK EVENTS
Family Day at Bandshell Park. Paul Pruitt will be the Master of Ceremonies. Free rides and slides, arts and crafts show, collaring mural, Kaptain Kirby train rides, 13 food concessions, Jaycees Beer Garden, bingo, musicians, artisans, balloon art, magic by Jim Jayes, Minnesota Zoomobile and Captain Jack Sparrow. 2-8 p.m. Mower County Veterans Bingo at the Veterans Pavillion 5 p.m. Kid Power Pedal Tractor Pull. For ages 4-11. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m.
LIVE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT:
2-2:30 p.m. Bridget’s Dance Conservatory 2:45-3:15 p.m. Jane Taylor Academy of Dance 3:30-5 p.m. Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant. Open to girls and boys ages five to eight. Pre-registration required. Forms available at the Chamber, YMCA, or online at austincoc. com/freedom-fest.html. 5:15-6:15 p.m. RavensFire Band 6:45-8 p.m. 3-Lane 8:30-10 p.m. Austin Community Band Dusk Fireworks Display
July 4
10:45 a.m. YMCA Annual Mini Piggy Fun Run at the Austin Utilities parking lot. Pre-register at the
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD FREEDOM FEST
Little Miss Sparkler Daniela Camarena, 8, and Mr. Firecracker Lucas Schneider, 5, pose after winning their titles last year at Bandshell Park. YMCA. For more information, call 507-433-1804. 11 a.m. Independence Day Parade 2-5 p.m. Area Fire Departments Water Wars, Ninth Place Southwest. 2 p.m. Beanbag Tournament north of Bandshell. Registration at 1 p.m. Play starts at 2 p.m. $10 per person. Call Opie for more details at 507-4383189.
2-2:15 p.m. Summerset Theatre 2:30-3:30 p.m. Edition II 3:45-4:30 p.m. Joshua Whalen 4:45-5 p.m. Taylor Bliese and Paul Pruitt 5-6 p.m. Austin Big Band
6:30-8 p.m. Sena Ehrhardt and Cole Allen Acoustics 8-8:30 p.m. Announcements/Drawings 8:30-10 p.m. Austin Symphony Orchestra Dusk Giant Fireworks Display
BANDSHELL PARK EVENTS
Free rides and slides, Spam Tiny House, horsedrawn wagon rides, 13 food concessions, Jaycees Beer Garden, bingo, musicians, artisans, balloon art and magic by Jim Jayes. 2-8 p.m. Mower County Veterans Bingo at the Veterans Pavillion
LIVE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT:
12:30 p.m. Rochester Caledonian Pipe Band 1-1:15 p.m. Opening Ceremony/Flag Raising 1:15-1:45 p.m. Pillars of the City Unveiling
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017
3
Fourth: Businesses, partners make Freedom Fest tick From Page 1 The “community” part of our celebration recognizes that this is a time we all come together to celebrate Austin and Mower County. Events are planned with the family in mind, and the vast majority are provided free of charge. We have free “rides and slides” for kids, live entertainment on stage and on the grounds, balloon artists and magic shows, demonstrations, contests and, of course, two nights of fireworks over the bandshell! New events this year include a free outdoor movie at the bandshell, Saturday evening, and a Community Worship Service in Bandshell Park, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 2. Hosted by Cornerstone Church, this service is open to
everyone and will be followed by a variety of family activities. There are plenty of other events and activities, of course, too many to list in this limited space. The complete schedule of events is posted in this edition of the Herald and online at www.austincoc.com. Events are planned and organized by the members of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. They are largely paid for by more than 160 business and organizational sponsors. And they are supported by several related events that are organized by other partnering, community organizations. Thanks to all for your work in putting together this year’s schedule of events. Invite your family and friends to join you in celebrating Freedom Fest in Austin!
Emma Tuck, 18 months, waves to flags during the Freedom Fest parade along Main Street on last year. Herald file photo
4
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD FREEDOM FEST