The cancellations of 2020 will not soon be forgotten. Piedmont’s annual Fourth of July celebration, Freedom Fest, was one of the events waylaid by the COVID-19 virus.
But the city skies will light up against this year for 2021.
The theme is “Frontier Freedom Fest,” and it will bring with it a country and western flavor.
Louanne Trammel, Piedmont’s spokeswoman, said plans are being set for the festival. She recalls last year organizing virtual business and home decorating contests.
“Last year we had to cancel everything and we had a virtual contest with businesses that decorated citywide and then we did a parade of homes.”
No virtual contests are planned for this year, and events will be in-person.
At 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 Freedom Fest continues until the fireworks show after dark.
A parade at 6 p.m. will start at Wildcat Way north of the Piedmont Elementary School and then travel down Piedmont Road to N.W. 164.
“We would love as many people to join the parade as they would like, churches, organizations and individuals,” Trammel said.
People can sign up to be in the parade from the Freedom Fest Facebook site or visit the Mirror Mirror Boutique on Monroe and Mugwamps Fitness.
Piedmont’s Roundup Club will be in the parade this year, Trammel said.
There will be food trucks, carnival rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, water games, a horse and cattle team sorting competitions organized by Rockin’ M Farms at the Piedmont Roundup Club.
At dark, expected to be about 9:45 p.m., the festival will conclude with a fireworks show. People should be able to watch the fireworks from downtown and from spots along Piedmont Road, Trammel said.
The Johnny Woods Band will perform from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information visit the Piedmont Freedom Fest Facebook page.
