For nearly 50 years, Downtown Greensboro’s Freedom Fest has been a celebration of traditional Americana for people of all ages. From live music to roller skating and family games to fireworks, festival-goers will enjoy a host of ways to celebrate our Nation’s birthday, July 4th, noon-6 p.m.
For the first time in the festival's history, the event will house a roller-skating rink for visitors to enjoy. “We always see people roller-skating at Greensboro’s downtown park, LeBauer,” says Cydnee Mebane, assistant marketing director at Downtown Greensboro. “So we thought this would be a really fun thing to do.”
The roller rink isn't the only new event at this year's fest. “This will be our first year doing a balloon maze,” says Mebane. The impressive stand-up structure masqueraded by patriotic-colored balloons will form several paths, some of which will lead to helium-filled dead-ends. Your goal when you enter the maze: find the exit.
“It’s really just another interactive activity for people to do while they’re at the festival,” adds Mebane.
Additionally, families and friends will be encouraged to sign up in groups of five for a string of competitive games like cup stacking, trivia, charades, balloon head bounce and more. There, each member will take on a specific challenge and compete to earn points for the team. The team with the most points at the end of the series will win a prize.
“People can expect some gift certificates, a few coupons and maybe some merchandise from downtown retailers,” says Mebane.
The festival will also feature other opportunities to showcase your patriotism for a chance to win prizes. Design a wagon or cart from top to bottom to become one of four winners in the Wagon Decorating contest, or show up in your most creative red, white and blue attire for a chance to win Best Dressed.
“Last year a couple and their little boy and dog were dressed up in tutus and face paint — red, white and blue pretty much everything,” says Mebane. “They just looked so cute!”
While you bask in July Fourth pride, don’t be surprised if you become inspired to taste one of the many food vendors across the downtown footprint — from dessert and pizza to Jamaican and Mediterranean cuisine to hot dogs and hamburgers.
“You can pretty much find an option for anybody and everybody,” says Mebane.
Afterward, you could find yourself in front of one of four live music stages, one of which will host open-mic karaoke.
“Last year, we had so many people out there performing to the crowd,” Mebane recalls.
Four lucky couples will be awarded a free wedding as part of the Red, White and Say “I Do” event that will take place during the festival.
“The wedding giveaway takes an intimate thing and almost draws you into it, so now the whole community is a part of the wedding party,” says Mebane. “It’s just another fun thing we want to be able to offer people in the community to further add to the overall theme of Fun Fourth, which I would say is celebrating together.”
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