Freedom Fest 2012

Tom Sherman, left, carries a giant flag with the Chamber ambassadors/Perkins float during the flag during the Fourthof July parade last year. Herald file photo

‘We’re ready fora great show’

By Adam Harringa

Nothing attracts people to Austin like explosions andbright lights.

Jeff Baldus, of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce,said they estimated 25,000 to 28,000 people converged onAustin last year for the Freedom Festfireworks display, and he expects justas many this year. That and the Free-dom Fest parade, he said, are thetwo most popular events of the five-day Fourth of July celebration, nowin its 27th year.

“As we talk with people, fireworksare definitely their favorite thing,” said Baldus, the Cham-ber’s Member Relations & Major Events Coordinator. “Fire-works are what we get graded on. ... We’re ready for a greatshow.”

Turn toPages 4-6 forthe Freedom

Fest schedule.

See FEST, Page 2

Celebration set for Fourth

2 FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • FREEDOM FEST

Freedom Fest features a small fire-works display on Tuesday, July 3 at dusk,but the big show is on the Fourth aftersunset. The parade, also on the Fourth,starts at 11 a.m.

Festivities start Saturday, June 30 witha 5-mile run, children’s fishing contest,bike race, geocaching contest, car showand street dance.

Old favorites remain, but newer activ-ities such as The Hormel Institute secondannual Walk for a Cancer-Free World,and the Little Miss Sparkler & FirecrackerKing Pageant are expected to draw acrowd, too.

New this year are the AmazingBudabi Brothers juggling act, a birdshow with a bald eagle from The Rap-tor Center in Minneapolis, and waterwars organized by the Austin Fire De-

partment.The parade route will stay the same,

marching down Main Street from EighthAvenue NW to Ninth Place SW. TheMorning Lions will also host their annualFly-In Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. July1 at the Austin Airport.

Bandshell Community Park is the cen-ter of activities for food, music and fam-ily entertainment July 3-4. The Chamberhas scheduled continuous stage enter-tainment along with children’s rides, car-nival games and contests, foodconcessions, and arts and crafts shows.Costumed characters and magicians willentertain throughout the grounds. Band-shell stage entertainment includes musi-cal and dance performers, with Six MileGrove, The Schell’s Hobo Band, theRochester Caledonian Pipe Band, 3 LaneBand, and local favorites like the AustinSymphony Orchestra, the Austin BigBand and the Austin Community Band.

Baldus said Bandshell Park is alwayspopular, with families setting up withblankets and picnic baskets.

“Seeing the families come together isalways a neat thing,” Baldus said.

Fest: Park featuresmanyevents on Fourth

CCoonnttiinnuueedd ffrroomm PPaaggee 11

2012 FREEDOM FEST: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

By Sandy ForstnerChamber Director

For about a year now, Austin residentshave been suggesting and developingideas to enhance our community, andeveryone’s quality of life. Vision 2020 hasbeen an exciting and inspirationalprocess as we collectively look for waysto make our community a better placeto live, work and play.

Twenty-seven years ago, a differentgroup of people had an inspiration oftheir own. They, too, were looking forways to pull the community together,and struck on the idea of organizing acommunity festival. The name haschanged over the years, but the tradi-tion of celebrating “community andcountry” remains.

Community festivals, such as Free-dom Fest, are about family, friends andneighbors. They are the direct result ofpeople working and pooling their re-sources together for the common good.They build community pride, strengthen

relationships, showcase the communityand enhance our quality of life.

And, yes, they’re good for business,too, as thousands of people stay home

and invite others to join them for the cel-ebration.

I hope everyone takes time to spendsome in Austin during Freedom Fest. Lookaround, and enjoy all the great peopleand places that make this our community.It’s a good place to be, especially duringFreedom Fest.

THE FESTIVAL COMMITTEELed by Festival Director Jeff Baldus,has put together a great lineup ofevents. Committee members includeTerry Fox, Fox Electric; Rob Bowe, SnakDistributing; Kim Underwood, AustinPark and Recreation; Mark Bliese,Imagery Sound; Jeremy Slagle, Torge'sLive; Jayna Fett, Holiday Inn; JustinBickler, Simplified TechnologySolutions; Jennie Germain, Austin AreaCommission for the Arts; BradJohnson, Johnson Locating; ShelleyJones, Sterling State Bank; Tim Ruzek,The Hormel Institute; AmandaLagervall, Overby Orthodontics, andKent Fischer, Applebee’s

“Once again, the Fourth ofJuly Freedom Fest

celebration has shown thatthe people of Austin take alot of pride in their city. It

seems that theparade and

festivities at thebandshell —including thefireworks — getbetter everyyear. I haveheard manycomments by Austinitesand visitors to Austin that

we have the mostenjoyable Fourth of July

celebration that they have

attended.”— Mayor Tom Stiehm,

Lincoln Rockers, 3, gets blasted by the dragon in the Osman Dragon Patrol float duringthe Fourth of July parade last year. Herald file photo

Tradition brings the community together

Lincoln Rockers, 3, gets blasted by thedragon in the Osman Dragon Patrol floatduring the Fourth of July parade last year.Herald file photo

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • FREEDOM FEST FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 3

A snare player for Stix of Fury, Blooming Prairie’s drumline,marches during the Blooming Prairie parade last year. Heraldfile photo

Austin Daily Herald

The Fourth of July Cele-bration isn’t limited toAustin.

The holiday will also be achance for Blooming Prairieresidents to show off.

“It showcases your com-munity,” said Becky Noble,Blooming Prairie chamberdirector.

Noble said there’s a lotgoing on in the communitypeople don’t know about,because many people justpass through on U.S. High-way 218.

“A lot’s going on thatyou don’t see if you don’tget off 218,” she said.

The two days kick offwith an antique tractorshow Tuesday, followed bya pedal tractor pull.

A magic show, teendance and the J&H StreetDance will be held Tuesdaynight.

The parade will be onehighlight Wednesday at2:30 p.m., followed by per-formances by drumlines SuFu Du and Sticks of Fury.Sweet Rides Car Show anda tractor pull will also beheld Wednesday.

A number of events willbe available in the park overthe weekend, includingbingo, mini golf, a magicshow and more.

Bands Mischief andMayhem (a piano band),the Morning Kings and Ar-rows at Dawn will play lead-ing into the fireworks,which cap the festival atdusk Wednesday.

Austin Daily Herald

More than 100 yearsof tradition will continuethis summer in Lyle.

Lyle’s IndependenceDay Celebration returnswith an early Fourth onJune 29, 30 and July 1.

“It’s just a fun time,you know, small towncelebration that’s prettybig for the size that weare,” said Lyle City ClerkDiana Witt.

Because the festival isbefore the Fourth, Wittsaid it attracts manypeople from outside oftown who come to seefamily and friends.

“I just know thatthere’s a lot of people intown that weekend,”Witt said.

The weekend kicks offwith food specials, abeanbag tournamentsand music at Lyle LiquorFriday night.

On Saturday, thetruck, tractor and semipull returns at 10 a.m.,and the classic car showruns 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Saturday caps off withan 8 p.m. street dance atthe Legion.

Sunday kicks off witha church services in thepark. The grand paradeat noon, Little Miss Lyleat 3 p.m. and a 4 p.m.talent show highlight apacked day that con-cludes with fireworks atdusk.

“I know that, last yearit was spectacular,” Wittsaid.

2012 FREEDOM FEST: SMALL TOWNS

Blooming Prairie shows off town during celebration

Lyle continues 100 years of Fourth of July traditions


Hog Jog 5-Mile Run, 8 a.m. at East SideLake, pre-registration at the YMCA, race-day registration 6:45-7:30 a.m. at the racesite. Register online atwww.active.com/event or download a raceform at www.ymca-austin.org.Kidsʼ Fishing Contest, 9-11 a.m. at EastSide Lake, $2 entry fee, $50 first-placeprize, prizes for all 15-and-under; registra-tion on site beginning at 8:30 a.m.25 Mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race, noon atthe Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Registra-tion at 11 a.m.Moose Club Car Show, Noon at theMoose Lodge, 208 S. Main St., registrationat 11 a.m., no cover charge, ʼ50s and ʼ60smusic, food and prizes.Street Dance, 5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge,208 S. Main St.; featuring “Whitesidewalls”Rock ʻnʼ Roll Review and the D.C. Drifters.

Jeremy Welke of Austin runs with the pack onOakland Place NE along East Side Lake dur-ing last year's Hog Jog. Herald file photo

SATURDAY, JUNE 30


30th Hog JogThe YMCA of

Austin is celebratingthe 30th year of theHog Jog 5-mile raceon June 30.

The race starts at 8a.m. and is sponsoredby the YMCA ofAustin. It is USATFsanctioned and thecost to run is $20.

Results will beposted on OnlineRace Results atwww.onlineracere-sults.com and the Y’swebsite.

Kids and parents crowdthe dock atEast SideLake duringthe Kids Fish-ing Contestlast year.Herald file photo

Participantskick off the25-mile DanUlwellingBike race outside theHormel Na-ture Centerlast year.Herald file photo


2012 FREEDOM FEST: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS; WALK FOR A CANCER FREE WORLD

Morning Lions Fly-in Breakfast, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Austin Airport.

SUNDAY, JULY 1

Hormel Historic Homeʼs Concert in theGarden, 7 p.m. at Hormel Historic Home.Community Jazz Band free performance.

MONDAY, JULY 2

Participants kick off the first Walk For a Cancer Free Worldlast year outside The Hormel Institute. Herald file photo

Jaycees Street Dance, 8 p.m. to midnightat Torgeʼs Live, featuring Amish Playboys 8-9 p.m. and Power Play 9-12, $5 covercharge, tickets at the door.The Hormel Instituteʼs “Walk for a Can-cer-Free World,” 5:30 p.m. Four-mile routestarts at The Hormel Institute and ends atBandshell Park, registration 5-5:30 p.m., $8entry fee, with proceeds for Institute cancerresearch.Family Day in the Park, 2-10 p.m. at Band-shell Community Park, featuring slides,rides and carnival games, arts and craftshow, jugglers, magicians and clowns, 13food concessions, and a Jayceeʼs beer gar-den. Raptor Centerʼs “Raptors of Min-nesota” show at 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. MissSparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant, 3:30 to 5p.m.

Bandshell stage entertainment:•2-2:30 p.m., Jane Taylor Academy ofDance•2:45-3:15 p.m., Bridgetʼs Dance Conserva-tory•5:15-6 p.m., The Amazing Budabi Brothers•6:30-8:30 p.m., 3 Lane Band•8-8:30 p.m., Announcements•8:30-10 p.m., Six Mile Grove•Dusk, Fireworks

TUESDAY, JULY 3

Freedom Fest walk will benefit cancer research

Austin Daily Herald

A walk next week will bring to-gether people of all ages to raiseawareness about The Hormel Insti-tute’s world-renowned cancer re-search.

The Hormel Institute’s secondannual Walk for a Cancer FreeWorld begins at 5:30 p.m. Tues-day, July 3, at The Institute, 80116th Ave. NE. The walk follows aroute about four miles long, fromThe Hormel Institute to BandshellPark, mostly using the city’s pavedpedestrian trail system.

Freedom Participants can pre-register at the Austin Area Cham-ber of Commerce office, 329 N.Main St. Suite 102, or from 5 to

5:30 p.m. on the day of the walkin The Hormel Institute’s mainlobby. Participants are responsiblefor their transportation to andfrom the walk. A link to the regis-tration form is also available withthis story at austindailyherald.com.

Cost is $10 per person and in-cludes a T-shirt featuring this year’swalk logo. All money from theevent will go to The Hormel Insti-tute’s world-renowned researchaimed at discoveries leading to theprevention and control of cancer.Fest music, food and games as wellas a fireworks display at dusk.

What: The Hormel Institute’s secondannual Freedom Fest walk will go aboutfour miles from The Hormel Institute,801 16th Ave. N.E., to Bandshell Park

When: Walk starts at 5:30 p.m.Tuesday, July 3; same-day registration isfrom 5 to 5:30 p.m. in The Institute

lobbyCost: $10 per person, includes T-shirt

Six Mile Grove performs June 3. Photo provided.


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29th annual Mini Piggy Fun Run, 10:45a.m.

Independence Day Parade, 11 a.m.;Main Street.

Bags Tourney, registration starts at 1p.m.; play starts at 2 p.m. west of theBandshell; $10 per person; bring yourown partner.

Fire Department Water Wars, 2-5 p.m.at Ninth Place SW. Departments fromthe surrounding area will battle the bar-rel and see who is the best. Childrenhave a chance after competition.

Westminster Presbyterian Ice CreamSocial, 2-4 p.m. at Westminster Presby-terian Church. Free.

Bandshell Community Parkstage entertainment, 1-10 p.m.

•1-1:30 p.m., Rochester Caledonian PipeBand•1:30-2 p.m., Opening ceremony/flagraising•2-3 p.m., The Schellʼs Hobo Band•3:30-5 p.m., The Austin Big Band•5:15-6 p.m., The Amazing Budabi Broth-ers•6:30-8 p.m., Austin Community Band•8-8:30 p.m., Announcements (fire-works raffle drawings and AAAC pres-entation)•8:30-10 p.m., Austin Symphony Orches-tra•Dusk, Giant fireworks display

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4


Look to the Herald for full coverage of

Freedom Fest events.

HeraldAustin Daily

Veteran Dan Stewart looksto the crowd as someonecalls his name during theparade Monday. Herald file photo

www.austindailyherald.com


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Welcome toAustin


1. VFW Post & Auxiliary2. VFW Post & Auxiliary3. American Legion Post 91 - Austin4. American Legion Post 91 - Austin5. American Legion Spam Post No. 5706. DAV7. DAV8. Boy Scouts9. Girl Scouts10. Chamber Ambassadors/Perkins11. ABC 6 News12. Austin High Cheerleaders13. Austin Alumni Band14. GRAND MARSHAL /Spammy15. Hormel Foods Corporation16. Knights of Columbus17. NA*18. Gene’s Pedalists19. AMCAT20. Austin Big Band / All Weather Roofing21. Mower County Historical Society22. Bursch Travel23. Sacred Heart Juggling Team24. Collision Specialists25. YMCA Gymnastics26. Tom’s Heating27. Austin Lions Go-Cart Unit28. Y-Waste Removal29. Moose Lodge No. 118030. Rochester Pipe & Drums31. ARC Mower County32. Austin Power & Sport33. Crane Community Chapel34. Bridget’s Dance Conservatory35. Big Island Rendezvous & Festival36. Austin Youth Hockey37. Austin Bruins38. Overby Orthodontics / Little Ms / Mr39. Riverland Community College40. Blooming Prairie “The Stix of Fury”41. Chamber Lifetime Achievement winner42. Riverside Figure Skating Club43. Austin Utilities44. Rochester Cycle Patrol45. Mower County Sheriff46. Cedar River Watershed District47. Star Liquor48. Wennes Pony Hitch49. Freeborn-Mower Cooperative50. Schell’s Hobo Band51. Austin Festival of Lights52. Austin Catholic Schools53. Jane Taylor Academy of Dance54. Keys To Life Apostolic Church55. Austin F.F.A.56. Cedars of Austin, The57. Wagner Construction58. Cedar River Longbeards59. Culligan Water Conditioning60. 728 Cadets61. Albert Lea Shrine Club62. Prairie Visions63. Sellers Lock & Key64. Matchbox Children’s Theatre

65. Tom’s Mechanical Music66. Dylan Kaercher’s Theater Camp67. Hy-Vee68. St. John’s Lutheran Church69. Mower County Relay For Life70. Alley Katz71. Austin Blue Sox Baseball72. Operation Vintage Pride73. Home Federal Savings Bank74. Hormel Institute75. Lyle Area Cancer76. Power 96 & KQAQ Classic Country77. Western Fraternal Life Assn.78. AFLAC79. Apollo Superette & Liquor80. Austin Shrine Oriental Band81. Precision Signs82. Walgreens83. 56 Speedway84. Lou-Rich / Innovance85. Mower County 4-H87. The Bridge88. Walmart89. Miss Teen Austin90. Mickey’s Place / Country Side Auto91. Ooh La La! Handbags & Accessories92. Minnesota Corrugated Box93. Rochester Merry Medics94. Pizza Ranch95. NA*96. NA*97. Fishing for a Cure98. NA*99. NA*100. Austin Community Band101. AFD102. Rose Creek Fire Department103. Mapleview Fire Department104. Brownsdale Fire Department

— * NA indicates the slot was open as of press time.

2012 FREEDOM FEST: PARADE LINEUP

Cadence Neve, 4, dances with a clown during last year’s parade. Herald file photo

Documents

Freedom Fest 2012