Another year, another hugely successful Freedom Days celebration. As last Saturday’s spectacular fireworks came to a close, the smoke-filled black sky was a reminder that all the hard work and preparation for this year’s festival was completely behind the organizers and planning for next year’s gig could soon commence. The weeklong festival began Monday with the first of several daily clues to find the coveted medallion hidden somewhere discreetly on public land in the city confines.

 

By Friday, the Babler family — consisting of mom, Jill and her four young children — Owen (10 years old), Ava (8), Ezra (6) and Ily (5) — had dug beneath a tree over at Kolbinger Park and recovered their prize.

 

By Tuesday of this week, they were all $100 richer, thanks to Sherburne State Bank.

 

Saturday is Freedom Days’ biggest day as they feature a early morning 5k and 1k race for adults and kids, followed by the fan favorite parade at 11 a.m. which kicks off a full day of fun, food and entertainment.

 

The parade participants began the day lining up along Riley Ave. in predetermined spots delegated by community center volunteers. The Becker Fire trucks and emergency vehicles are the first to make their way down Central Ave., followed by farmers and their tractors. This year’s parade route was chock-full of eager youngsters and parents screaming to have their bags, buckets and pockets filled with tootsie rolls, suckers and gumdrops.

 

The Becker Dazzlers dance team showcased their tiny dance campers at the corner of Hancock and Central Ave., then the older girls wowed the crowd with a dance routine of their own as the midday heat rolled into the grounds.

 

Michelle Remick and her Brain Freeze ice cream truck was parked along the road and with Saturday’s warm temperatures — was seen taking orders and dishing out delightful treats to the throngs of Freedom Days attendees.

 

Food and beverage vendors lined the streets to serve their delicacies which included hot dogs, pretzels, pop and the area’s favorite gourmet treat — a pork chop seasoned to perfection.

 

Over at the community center, a Teen Zone was set up to give the area youths a place to safely hang out and play games in the beautiful sunshine. Some of the games featured on the grassy lawn behind the BCC was bean bag toss, volleyball, basketball, ladder ball and a bungee cord trampoline ride.

 

Joey Perry and his band played music in the afternoon back at the gazebo and that was followed by a rock-n-roll cover band called Outside Recess from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

Overall, this year’s Freedom Days festival was a splendid megahit that brought families and friends together to celebrate this country’s freedoms and to appreciate all what makes this community great!