Simplify your summer cookout

Freedom Fest this Friday

Fireworks, food, fun at Tilden Rodgers Park

news@theeveningtimes.com

Mark your calendar for the City of West Memphis’ version of the Independence Day Holiday. Freedom Fest returns to Tilden Rodgers Park, this Friday evening, June 24.

The Gateway City traditionally offsets the day for its patriotic celebration to the last Friday in June giving citizens the opportunity capitalize many other Fourth of July festivities across the mid-south region.

Weather permitting, fireworks won’t start until the sky is good and dark around 9:15 p.m. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m.

in the park with lots to do.

Vendors will have set up booths filled with food and a few souvenirs to benefit good causes.

“There are 16 vendors lined up with proceeds going to non-profits,” said West Memphis Tourism Director Jim Jackson.

The booms and shimmering skyrockets are guaranteed to bring back the oohs and ahs to the Wonder City again this year.

Flags will outline the lake at Tilden Rodgers to set the stage for the patriotic evening. Music by the Incredible Infinity Band starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Snearly Ranch Boys, who will get started at 7:30 p.m.

This year a special glimpse into the underwater world in Arkansas will be available to the community. In addition to the fireworks, the special attraction this year will be the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s mobile aquarium.

“The 1,500-gallon mobile fish aquarium will be there and that will be a real treat for the kids that come out,” said Jackson.

As many as 500,000 people a year gawk at the 30 different species of native fish and turtles in the travelling 36-foot-long tank.

Watch fish, eat food, hear the music, and enjoy the fireworks — it’s all taking place this Friday at the

2016 Freedom Fest.

By John Rech