Fun for the Whole Family
| Katelyn Bausman
Mark your calendars for a day of fun with family and friends! The annual Greenwood Freedom Festival is Saturday, June 29, starting at 9 a.m. There’s something for everyone at the festival. “Whether you like to shop for arts and crafts, bounce in an inflatable house, admire the classic cars, or just enjoy festival food, you are sure to be satisfied,” says Raegan Potter, Festival Steering Committee member. “But the best reason to attend is simply to honor those who have given their lives and continue to serve this country to provide the freedom we all cherish.”
Expected to draw a crowd of more than 50,000, the festival kicks off with the Street Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with food, local vendors and artisans, games, crafts, and family entertainment. Check out more than 80 booths along Machledt Drive east of Madison Avenue. Don’t miss the “Celebrate Greenwood” parade on Main Street at 10 a.m. with Grand Marshal Evan Springer, the executive director of Parks and Recreation. KORN Country 100.3 will serve as emcee.
Local and regional bands will be performing all afternoon and evening on two stages. The Amphitheater Stage will feature Jennie Devoe, The Woomblies, and Tastes Like Chicken, while the Fireworks Stage will feature Jimmy Ryser, The Super Groove, and Blue River Band.
From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy food, microbrews, and wines from some of the best local vendors. The Southside Art League will be creating and painting at the festival for the fourth straight year, and be sure to check out the Hoosier Falcon Club Open Car Show in the Greenwood Public Library parking lot as well.
In addition to the music, food, and fun, you can relive the Civil War. Running Friday through Sunday at the Greenwood VFW adjacent to Craig Park, you can watch Civil War re-enactors.
At 9:45 p.m., the Flag Ceremony will begin, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, classic patriotic songs, and a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then, the grand finale commences at 10 p.m. with the City of Greenwood Fireworks Celebration. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Craig Park and enjoy the largest fireworks display in Greenwood.
The Greenwood Freedom Festival is a long-standing community tradition, entertaining for more than 25 years. Raegan says it would not be possible without sponsors from the business community and tremendous volunteer support including many city employees. The Steering Committee coordinates food and street fair vendors, local brewers and wineries, parade participants, live bands, kids’ activities, local business sponsorships, and public safety.
Because the festival is much more volunteer-driven than in years past, the cost has been drastically reduced. The City of Greenwood provides staff person hours and funds only for the fireworks display, while dedicated volunteers work diligently throughout the year to raise the remaining 80% of the festival’s funding.
There is still time to reserve booth space, sign up for the parade, enter the car show, or volunteer during the festival. Visit greenwood.in.gov or email festival@greenwood.in.gov for details.
See the Greenwood Freedom Festival Guide in the middle of this issue for the full list of events and locations. Visit greenwood.in.gov or the Greenwood Freedom Festival’s Facebook page for updates.
Katelyn Bausman is a lifelong Southsider. She is a freelance writer/editor and handles communications and event planning for an international ministry. She and her husband, David, enjoy calling Center Grove home.
