It’s come and gone but memories of this year’s hugely successful Freedom Days celebration will live on throughout the summer days. Last Saturday night’s spectacular fireworks signified the closing of the week-long event, and as visitors and viewers started up their vehicles and drove home, it was a reminder that most of the hard work and preparation for this year’s festival was finally behind the organizers and it was time to relax and unwind before beginning plans for next year’s anticipated event.
The week-long festival began Monday with the first of several daily clues to find this year’s desired medallion hidden somewhere on public land in the city. By Wednesday morning, nine-year-old Nathan Weiss pulled something from a tree over at the BAC and recovered the prize wrapped in camouflage duct tape and leaves.
By Thursday of this week, Nathan was $100 richer, thanks to Sherburne State Bank and their sponsorship.
Freedom Days had many festivities throughout the week and it all cumulated Saturday with an 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.
Caleb Foster, 19 was the fastest male (18:18:880) and Victoria Kolbinger, 16, the fastest female (20:46.880) in the 5k run.
The parade participants began the day lining up along Riley Ave. in predetermined spots on both sides of the street. The Becker fire trucks and emergency vehicles are the first to make their way down Central Ave., followed by farmers and their tractors.
The parade route was jam-packed with eager youngsters and parents screaming to have their bags, buckets and pockets filled with tootsie rolls, suckers, gumdrops and even some beef jerky.
The Becker Dazzlers dance team showcased their tiny dance campers at the corner of Hancock and Central Ave., while some youngsters enjoyed doing the hula hoop in the midday sun.
Michelle Remick’s Brain Freeze ice cream truck was parked along the road to serve everyone’s favorite ice cream treats and food and beverage vendors were quite busy serving their delicacies which included hot dogs, pretzels, pop and, of course, pork chops 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. at the softball fields, the Becker Blast hosted a softball tournament and at the varsity baseball field, the Becker Bandits took on the Becker Buzzards in a classic matchup.
Joey Perry and his band played music in the afternoon back on Hancock Street 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 another grand megahit that brought families and friends together to celebrate this country’s freedoms and to appreciate all what makes this community great!
