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Freedom Fest 2019

Photo By Spc. Robert Vicens Rolon | Soldiers, their families, and members of the community enjoy Freedom Fest, a three-day...... read more read more

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

07.01.2019

Story by Spc. Robert Vicens Rolon

14th Public Affairs Detachment

Music pulsed through Iron Horse Park, along with the sounds of laughter and fun. The smell of popcorn and fried food truck delights sizzled in the air, cheered on by a bright hot sun, while families whooped and hollered on carnival rides until nightfall.

Freedom Fest, an annual festival held in honor of Independence Day, this year came at the close of Ivy Week, June 28-30, 2019, and provided Soldiers, their families and the Colorado Springs community an opportunity to unwind and come together.

Freedom Fest lasted three days. Attendees were able to enjoy carnival rides such as the Sea Dragon, a boat which swings its riders up and down like a pendulum, a children’s hall of mirrors named the Monkey Maze, a Ferris Wheel, a fifty-foot tall slide, a train, and a number of dizzying, spinning rides that left at least some adults wishing for the steel stomachs of their youth.

It feels like a little piece of home away from home, said Alexandria Williams, from Texas, who came out with her kids and her husband.

Williams watched her son lift a yellow duck from a sea of plastic yellow ducklings, flipping it upside down to reveal his prize. The carnival games, rides and overall feel of Freedom Fest remind her of the Houston Rodeo, a larger festival that she and her family attended in their home state of Texas.

Musicians graced the stage like Mark Addison Chandler, Exit West, The Tyler Walker Band, Hardy and others who were among the opening acts for famous country artist, Morgan Wallen, who closed out the first night with his hit single, “Whiskey Glasses.”

Tiffany McDonald, a military spouse, and her Kentucky-native family attended the festival specifically to watch one of the featured musicians on the first night of the festival.

“I came here to see Hardy,” McDonald said, pointing to her son who wore a shirt sporting lyrics from their favorite song from the band — in bright red letters the T-Shirt reads, “Rednecker Than You.”

“The kids are over here having a good time and dancing,” McDonald said smiling.

Performing at the festival had special significance for Ashlee Brauer, homegrown female Country singer of the band Ashlee & the Longshot Revival.

“Three of our four members are natives,” Brauer said. “We’re proud to be part of Freedom Fest and everything it represents.”

Brauer’s husband served in the Army, and she believes giving back to the Soldiers and the community is important.

“We love serving a cause that is so deserving, doing something that shows appreciation of everything the (Soldiers) do for us,” she said.

Day two of the festival included a volleyball tournament.

“It was a great opportunity to build teamwork and camaraderie out here at the festival,” said Army Lt. Col. Craig McIlwain, who is stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, holding up his hard-earned trophy. “I had a great team and it was a pleasure coming out here and actually winning.”

Saturday evening included the Freedom Fest Glow Run, and ended with a fireworks display.

The third day was an all-day carnival, open to anyone who didn’t get enough on days one and two, where families could enjoy riding and eating and competing to earn prizes until closing time.

“It shows that the Army cares about us,” Williams said. “My husband just got back from deployment and this a stress relief, and a fun time to have with the kids.”