On behalf of the Becker Parks and Recreation Department, Becker Community Center and Freedom Days Planning Team, I want to thank everyone involved in making the 2017 Freedom Days a huge success. It takes a lot of dedicated, enthusiastic people to make a large community event like this come together; thankfully, in Becker we have that. Due to the work and commitment of so many people, Freedom Days was a fun and successful family event for our community.

 

Activities during the week included the 2nd Annual Open Streets- Let’s Explore Becker, a program made possible through the collaboration of the City of Becker, Sherburne County Statewide Health Improvement Program and the Becker School District; our annual Medallion Hunt; 2nd Annual Freedom Days Disc Golf Tournament at City Park; 2nd Annual Speed Golf Event at Pebble Creek; Sherburne History Center Ice Cream Social; Sherburne State Bank Picnic Open House; STARCOR Community Picnic; and the BCC Kiddie Parade and more. 

 

Saturday’s grand day activities began with more than 180 walkers and runners of all ages participating in the 5K and 1K events, followed by the annual parade led by the American Legion Color Guard. The Freedom Days Carnival followed with great food, fun and entertainment that led into the evening festivities, featuring the amazing Dean-o-mite interactive DJ, Twin Cities Dance Band-The Fugitives, and the ever-popular band Outside Recess. The night was capped off by spectacular fireworks. 

 

Popular activities, events and demonstrations this year included the Teen Zone, Bungee Jump, Henna Tattoos, four new marching bands in our parade, and many community booths. The success of an event as large and expansive as Freedom Days 2017 could not be possible without a tremendous network of dedicated staff, sponsors and volunteers - a special thanks to our fantastic BCC Leadership Team: Cindy Kazeck, Keri Schulte, Julie Krenz, Julie Baloun, Amanda Pommerening, Ken Burgess, Jon Crowley & Tracey Otto.

 

A huge thank you to our sponsors and Freedom Days partners: Becker Township, TJ Potter Trucking, Viking Coca Cola, Northern Metal Recycling, Sherburne State Bank, Darter Plastics, Becker/Big Lake KC’s, CentraCare, Liberty Paper Inc., Becker Lions, Wruck Excavating, Wruck Sewer & Portable Toilets, McDonald’s Meats, Structural Buildings, Palmer Wireless, Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy, Studio 5 Salon, NIX Bar & Grill, Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Country Lumber, Ace Solid Waste, American Family Insurance-Amy Chmielewski Agency, Oak Realty and Angell’s Construction. 

 

Also, an extra special thanks to all who attended Freedom Days Committee Meetings; and to our staff & volunteers: Julie Baloun, Lauren Baloun, Becker Community Center Staff, Becker Public Works Staff, Becker Wrestling, Dick Behm, Josie Berger, Tracy and Mark Bertram, Shawna Bratt, Angelica Bobo, Bailey Borich, Boy Scouts, Lynette Brannan, Jamie, Angie Cassidy, Aidan Cassidy & Colin Cassidy, Jessie Charbonneau, Jon Crowley, McKenzie Demant, Emma Denzen, Yvonne Eilers, Erin Fagin, Foster Closet of Sherburne County, Marge Free, Lisa Friedman, Girl Scouts, Mary Goenner, Fred Graning, Tina Gruber, Kelsi Halvorson, Brandii Hansen, Mick Hennessey, Jamie Hennessey, Home Explorers 4H, Jalissa Johnson, Jack Jones, Victoria Jundt, Cindy & Doug Kazeck, Tom and Lori Keller, Buddy Kolby, Kylie Kollman, Julie Krenz, Hunter Malisheski, Nathanael Nelson, Lonnie Nelson, Amanda Pommerening, Madison Pleoger, Brianna Schafer, Dan and Keri Schulte, Erika Schwartz, Shelby Steffen, Bethany & Matt Stevens, Ronnie Theis, Hailey Watts, Bella Watts, Marissa Pettit, Charlotte Fleck, Bud Stimler, Lonnie Seeley, Butch Woolhouse, Kaj Fritsch, Erik Otto and Aaron, Jill Babler, Amanda Connolly, Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen, Nikki Drahota, Jani Bush, Donald Bush, Toni Buesgens, Dan, Kelly, Hunter and Sophia Malisheski, Mary Goenner, Danielle Weisman and Jackie Schwartzkopf. 

 

Lastly, thank you to all in the Becker Community for coming together for a fun week of celebrating Freedom Days in Becker, Minnesota.

 

City of Becker Community Center Manager Director of Parks and Recreation and Freedom Days Coordinator