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Freedom Fest Events Abound in Murray July 3-4

Freedom Fest Events Abound in Murray July 3-4
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jun. 26, 2015 | MURRAY, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jun. 26, 2015 | 08:28 PM | MURRAY, KY
Free events spanning two days make up this year's annual Freedom Fest celebration taking place at various locations in Murray July 3-4.            

 

The main event kicks off Friday, July 3 on the court square at 5:45 p.m., with an Opening Ceremony featuring a ribbon-cutting as well as the singing of the national anthem. With that, several different activities downtown open for business, including the street fair, block party and beer garden.            

The Independence Bank Block Party will provide music for festival-goers from 6-10:30 p.m. This year's musical line-up includes two popular local bands. First, Red Ember, of Paducah, Kentucky, will perform from 6-8:30 p.m. The band's sound is mostly bluegrass, but also features folk, funk and jazz elements.            

Big Atomic, from Murray, Kentucky, headlines the evening. This versatile group is known for blurring the lines between funk, rock and R&B. Big Atomic came in first place in the 2015 WKMS Battle of the Bands, with Red Ember taking second. Admission to the Independence Bank Block Party is free.            

During the block party, the Freedom Fest Patio by Golden Eagle Distributing will be open on the court square for anyone age 21 and older. The beer garden is catered by the Big Apple Cafe, with food, beer, wine and mixed drinks available for purchase.            

Also taking placing that evening is the street fair, where vendors will sell items including barbecue, Italian ice, funnel cakes, glow-in-the-dark cotton candy, jewelry, mini light-up helicopters, sportswear and much more. The CFSB Street Fair will continue Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.            

Saturday, July 4, Freedom Fest is all about families, according to Erin Carrico, executive director of the Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau (Freedom Fest organizers). "Freedom Fest was started 28 years ago to be a fun, free event for families and it remains that way today. From dusk until dawn, the Saturday of Freedom Fest is focused on families and activities that will be fun for them," she said.            

The second day of the festival gets started with two different races, the Primary Care 5K and the Briggs and Stratton Main Street Mile, which are followed by the parade. The FNB Bank Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and travels down Main Street from 10th to 2nd Street.            

The theme of this year's parade is "Inspire America's Tomorrow," honoring youth mentors. Freedom Fest hosted an essay contest in March, asking local high school students to write about who inspires them. The essay winner and her mentor were then selected as the grand marshals of the parade. Autumn Dean, a senior at Calloway County High School, wrote about her father, Theodore Rodman, and how he provided for and supported their family through many hardships.            

When the parade concludes, event-goers can walk to the court square for the continuation of the street fair and the CFSB Kid's Zone, featuring free inflatables and face painting for children to enjoy through 1 p.m.            

Saturday evening kicks off two different musical performances in addition to other events. The Town and Gown Community Band will perform from 8-9 p.m. in Murray State's Lovett Auditorium. Admission is free to this concert, which will feature the band and chorus performing patriotic tunes.            

At Central Park, The Murray Bank Family Night in the Park takes place from 6-10 p.m. The event will include several inflatables for kids, vendors selling food and other products, a petting zoo and a concert by Jeremiah Johnson and the Grizzly 6, a band from Fulton, Kentucky. All of these activities are free to the public.            

 At 9:30 p.m. the Briggs and Stratton Fireworks bring Freedom Fest to a close with a bang. "Murray's fireworks display has quickly become known as one of the best in the region," said Deana Wright, chair of the Freedom Fest board. "Over the years we've seen more and more people travel from all over the region just to see Murray's fireworks."            

The best viewing spots for the fireworks are along Highway 641 North, including the Kroger, Walmart and Lowe's parking lots as well as Central Park from the Family Night event. Those setting up to view the fireworks are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, including those at Central Park.            

 In addition to the activities listed, the Freedom Fest lineup also includes a Veteran's Remembrance Ceremony, Country Ham Breakfast, car show, free pool day and more. Visit tourmurray.com to view the entire schedule of events, or call 270-759-2199 for more information on Freedom Fest.

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