Planners pleased with success of 10th annual Freedom Fest
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JANESVILLE — New Life Assembly of God doesn’t keep score.
But all indications were that Saturday’s 10th annual Freedom Fest broke all records.
“If the early crowd is any indication, this will be our biggest event yet,” said the Rev. Todd Pope, event coordinator and senior associate pastor at New Life.
The event planners have no way to track attendance. The festival is free and visitors come and go from the grounds without tickets. The event included kids’ games, free carnival rides, a petting zoo and a fireworks display.
A vendor in previous years estimated the crowd at 20,000, Pope said. Although the on-site parking is smaller than it was last year, Pope said it was still a good indication that the crowd was a big one.
“We’ll be closed within the hour,” Pope said at noon about the parking lot.
Volunteer driven
They don’t let just anybody drive those golf carts.
And they certainly don’t put just anybody in charge of the fleet of carts, many of which were labeled for use by pastors only.
“I begged,” said Irene Ladd about the privilege of getting golf cart duty at Saturday’s festival.
Not that it’s an easy job. Ladd expected to work all day. She drove back and forth across the festival grounds transporting tired seniors, cranky toddlers and one grateful journalist.
Ladd, a New Life member, earned the role of “head of golf carts” after several years of driving carts with her late husband, Don Ladd, who died in 2009.
“He just liked it so much, I keep doing it,” Ladd said.
Fun and games
In the middle of the chaos and noise of the festival was a haven … of chaos and noise.
The white tent contained a dozen gaming systems and a small crowd of young teens, mostly boys.
The adult responsible for the gaming tent was former New Life intern Steven Burton of Janesville. Burton came up with the idea four years ago. He said church members loan the game systems and TVs. Burton has a few of his own to share, he said. He works at Game Stop.
The games are full all day, but the line never gets long, he said.
“They’re all pretty respectful and let others get turns, which is nice,” said Burton, who is studying to be a pastor at North-Central University in Minneapolis.
Burton said he shuts down at around 7 p.m. and sends the gamers to enjoy the fireworks with their families.
Health checks
The festival wasn’t all fun and games.
Cherryl Hedden and her family were among the dozens getting free health screenings in the Mercy Health System tent. Participants got blood-pressure checks, bone-density checks and glucose checks. Janesville dentists also provided exams and made recommendations.
Hedden, who is uninsured, said the information was welcome. The Janesville woman has been diagnosed with diabetes and has been unable to take medication since her BadgerCare coverage was pulled in early June.
“I’m here for myself, just to make sure I have the information,” Hedden said.
Jun 28, 2011 at 1:16 p.m.
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More proof that the bible and belief offers nothing toward the great atheist/humanist development of the First Amendment.
Jun 28, 2011 at 12:41 p.m.
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Freedom Fest was about celebrating our independence, the fireworks have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the crucifixion and you know it. Stop trying to always bring your anthiest views into all of your posts.
Jun 28, 2011 at 11:46 a.m.
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Did it match the fireworks at the crucifixion?
Jun 27, 2011 at 7:17 p.m.
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I have had the opportunity to be at a few of the firework displays they've held in years' past. AMAZING!
I am not a member of this church but the community involvement the Church performs, solely "on the backs" of its members' donations is beyond compare!
Sandman... ANYONE who lives near a venue with summertime fireworks, will have to deal with congestion and noise. I live in Milton on the main "drag"... yes, I can not get in or out of my own driveway... wow, big deal for one 2 hour period.
Your reference however to, "...the tens of thousands of dollars needlessly spend to produce this egotistical, proselytizing dumbshow spectacle", is "below the knee". I think your issue is with a body of church members who "can afford" to put on a family friendly show... that by the way, uses NO tax monies. That's it, isn't it?
What NON-religious activities? THIS is an annual event that they share with the community. For young families looking for a venue that is family friendly, free and safe, what is your issue?
You come off as extremely bitter and very rude, that you would somehow think that this does NOT benefit our community. Sorry someone "rude" walked past your house and uttered some stupid statement. Its not this Church's fault someone "less than desirable" showed up. All are worthy in God's eyes.
Jun 27, 2011 at 2:52 p.m.
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It was my first time attending Freedom Fest. It was nice going to a family friendly event that didn't cost anything. The fireworks were very good. The only complaint that I had was that I thought the music was a little too loud. Other than that, it was well organized and a good time.
Jun 27, 2011 at 1:06 p.m.
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Ok...Sandman can stay. Or...not... And you're right he is entitled to his opinion, unfortunate though it may be. I have no time for those who choose to hate or whine about America:They have no idea how good they have it. Thank you to your family for your sacrifice and service to Americans Lovinit. We owe you big time.
Jun 27, 2011 at 12:14 p.m.
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The fireworks were the best I've seen in a long time. I go every year. Hats off to the people who organized and funded this very special event. And too bad to the naysayers. We all live with something we don't care for but this is the U.S. and your free to complain. Just as we are when we feel it's needed.
Jun 27, 2011 at 10:51 a.m.
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I thought the event was great. Waiting in line was long, but it gave people a chance to chat with "strangers" and have some quality time with family. I did not think the music needed to be so loud, it was hard to hear each other speak at times. I thought the Star Spangled Banner was completely uncalled for. I don't think we needed to listen to "Jimmy Hendrix" butcher a song that is supposed to pay tribute to our country, our vets, and those serving in the forces right now.
Jun 27, 2011 at 9:28 a.m.
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Sandman must be one of those firework-sensitive dogs, do you need a hug?
Jun 27, 2011 at 9:22 a.m.
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Kiesha, I can understand your annoyance, Sandman could use a little Jesus himself. But kidlets2 is so right on, that is what is so great about our country. Men of our county are over in harms way protecting our country, as stupid as our leaders have been at times, as ignorant and ungrateful some of us all are at times, they are there. It's very selfless.
I am sorry Sandman cant take one hour of celebration to embrace pride MOST of us share for our country. But I think he mostly enjoys the attention of others getting a rise from his always "this is stupid, this place sucks" comments.
Anyone know if anyone was saved at this event? How did donations go?
Jun 27, 2011 at 8:29 a.m.
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sorry I meant sandman. He does have the right to his own opinion.
Jun 27, 2011 at 8:27 a.m.
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kiesha as a wife of a service man that served over in Iraq I do not agree with thedudeabides but my husband is serving in the military to give people like them the freedom to have their own opinion no matter what it is. They do have the right to have a different opinion than you that is what our military has fought for. The right for everyone to be different.
Jun 27, 2011 at 6:40 a.m.
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This was my first year attending this event with my kids. They had a great time and I was impressed with how much was there--and that there was no cost. My one complaint was that my daughter waited in line for over an hour & a half for a ride that she ended up being too small for. If only the "measuring sticks" were posted where you could check before you get into line or the height requirement was posted for all to see. Great fireworks! We'll be back!
Jun 27, 2011 at 5:39 a.m.
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I don't have use for your pity TheDudeAbides, save it for your city, that has lost more than they know because of unions gone wild who believe they are entitled for more every year and never take a cut like the rest of us. I stand by my words and my country and I don't back down. Not for the likes of Sandman or you who won't enjoy a free event given for freedoms sake.
Jun 27, 2011 at 12:14 a.m.
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Kiesha- I feel sad for you. To claim that someone needs to move to Iran just because they have a different opinion than you is not only unpatriotic but also an insult to those who serve to protect our rights.
Jun 26, 2011 at 11:06 p.m.
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Sandman-My dog hid under the bed and didn't come out until morning.
Jun 26, 2011 at 11:05 p.m.
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So sandman, a graduation held at a Church is not allowed for religious reasons but a patriotic festival which is free to everyone should be taxed because you think so.
What a joyless, hapless, senseless, fruitless clueless life you lead. As I stated before, you need to move to Iran and see how they like it when you voice your opinon there. We paid tribute to the troops because they make America a free place. You want to tax everything that annoys you and call the shots of those who own property near you.
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GO POUND SAND...MAN!!!
Jun 26, 2011 at 9:58 p.m.
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I Love the fireworks good job keep it going. Negative the people in this town is rude! We were trying to find a place to park for kids to watch fireworks and the profanity out of people is very sad felt sorry for the kids!
Jun 26, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.
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It certainly broke records for neighborhood congestion, overall anoyance, and noise. I certainly enjoyed listening to the young man who loudly boasted to his friends as they all walked by my residence that he was a convicted felon. This "free dumb" event certainly brings out the best!
The fireworks noise was worse than ever, especially at the end, and it permeated the area for miles. I hate to think of all those local residents whose fireworks-sensitive dogs shuddered for hours afterwards.
As I have said previously, the tens of thousands of dollars needlessly spend to produce this egotistical, proselytizing dumbshow spectacle in a substantially residential neighborhood is a prime example (along with excess property acquisition and lighted message-scroll church advertising signs) of why these mega-church "businesses" should be TAXED for their real estate holdings and revenue according to their non-religious activities.
Jun 26, 2011 at 6:55 p.m.
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Get lost, troll.
Jun 26, 2011 at 6:10 p.m.
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Black ops is pretty cool and much more real than the idea of the biblical christian torture god.
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