Freedom Fest adds First Hand speakers to music, fireworks & more

NOTE:  Due to weather there have been scheduling and location changes for the Festival. For details see: Freedom Fest organizers announce schedule changes

NEW ALBANY – Organizers are putting the final touches on the annual Freedom Fest that will take place in downtown New Albany on Saturday, June 27^th.  The event, which co-bills itself as New Albany’s “First Hand” speaking event, will have political speaking from local and regional candidates throughout the afternoon, as well as patriotic events like a flag retirement, an appreciation ceremony for our military and those who respond during emergencies, including law enforcement, fire fighters, police and Emergency Medical Services.

The event will kick off at noon with food vendors opening up and the FIRST HAND political speaking, which will feature politicians speaking throughout the day, with breaks for music, the Freedom Fest Beauty Contest winners and other programs. In the late afternoon there will be a memorial service for our military and first responders. Kay Bain will kick off the evening entertainment, followed by an outdoor concert by For Appeal, the Grass Skirts, Honkey Tonk Heroes, with the evening capped by Sam Mosley & the Muscle Shoals Horns. The day’s festivities will conclude with a professional fireworks show.

Kay Bain, Tupelo’s popular lady of the “Mornin”

Over two dozen local and state candidates have signed up to speak during the event, and many will have tents on site where voters can speak with the candidates directly. Additionally, several state agencies will have a presence on site, and the National Guard will be on hand with different vehicles for viewing. And, of course, there will also be an area for kids’ activities.

Street Food! Everyone’s favorite.

“We’re very pleased with the response we’ve received from candidates and sponsors…new people are signing up every day and this bodes well for the event. With this year and next year being election years, our hope is that we will have enough momentum to keep this going as the city’s annual Independence Day event,” says Sean Johnson, New Albany’s Director of Tourism and one of the organizers of the event.

The event is being organized by the Union County Republic Women, New Albany Tourism, the Pilot Club of New Albany, Ole Miss Young Republican Club, Union County Democratic Executive Committee and Women’s Group and others.

New Albany Freedom Fest will be a free, family-friendly event. The fireworks will begin with the last note of Sam Mosley singing “America” in front of the courthouse at around 9:30 p.m.

“I am ecstatic about the numbers of the groups and individuals working on and supporting The Freedom Festival. It’s going to be a fabulous event, a time to come together in celebration of our freedom,” says Sue Morrisson, one of the committee organizers.

Sam Mosely, New Albany’s famous MS Blues Trail musician

“It’s going to be a beautiful evening.”

For more information on speaking at the political event, email firsthand2015@gmail.com. To keep up with the festival, you can like the festival Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NAFreedomFest.

Or you can call Sue Morrisson at 662-538-4552 or Evelyn Mason at 662-317-9275 for more information.

If your church or organization would like to sell food at the event, contact Sean Johnson at sean@visitnewalbany.com or 662-534-1047. There is no fee for non-profits to sell food, but spaces are limited.

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Press contact: Sean Johnson at sean@visitnewalbany.com or 662-534-1047