Celebrating the birth of the nation and enjoying community, the ninth annual Freedom Fest is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, on the grounds at First Assembly of God Church on Weston Street. The event has grown from nine years ago with 120 people in attendance to more than 2,000 people attending last year.
"Some churches get a bad rap and people think all we want is your money," Edwin Brewer, pastor of First Assembly of God, said. Brewer, who also owns USA Fireworks, said he and other church members wanted to do something to give back to the community.
"It's because of these other churches. There's no way our church could do it alone. The other churches, the businesses, the community all give into this thing. Obviously this is expensive. People just give!"
Beginning at 6 p.m. dinner will be served, free of charge. Dinner will include hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and a chicken wrap with chips and a drink.
There will be music provided.
"We encourage people to bring lawn chairs or blankets," Brewer said.
"We just would like to invite the public to come. We want them to enjoy themselves in a good, safe, Christian family environment," Brewer said.
There will be handicap parking available on site.
Many different churches and organizations will have booths providing snow cones, cotton candy, watermelon. There will also be a dunking booth and inflatables in which children can play. There are many, many prizes, Judy Majors said, to give away through drawings.
Fireworks, donated by Brewer's company, begin at dark. They are set off by members of the Pea Ridge Fire Department from the baseball fields on Weston Street.
"It's about a $5,000 show," Brewer said of the fireworks display, adding that he is extremely with his business because of the Fourth of July and usually leaves to work around the state as soon as Freedom Fest is over.
Community on 06/10/2015