Freedom rings over West Memphis

Community brings back Freedom Fest for independence celebration

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

Independence Day celebrations arrived early again in West Memphis. As usual the largest _reworks display in east Arkansas jumped the gun with a pyrotechnic display hotter than a pistol on the Fourth of July. Freedom Fest returned for its second post pandemic party as the earliest civic _reworks display. The early date made it possible for city residents to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence more than once this summer.

The evening began with souvenir vendors and food trucks lining the lot at Tilden Rogers Park. Families

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Photos by John Rech

The crowd gathered early at Tilden Rodgers Park for the return of Freedom Fest, the City of West Memphis’s annual pre-4th of July fireworks and community block party.

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gathered in shady spot around the park to enjoy the food fare and listen to bands until twilight. Children scurried about on patriotic colors blowing bubbles and dancing uninhibited to the beats.

Candidates glad handed at booths set up by both political parties aiming for election success in November.

City departments showed up in force. The fire department held to tradition hoisting it huge flag from its ladder truck. Paramedics served on standby for the big crowd. Police walked and mingled with the celebrating crowd. The public works street and sanitation workers put out traffic barricades and kept after the trash.

The big crowd craned their necks to the sky as the sky fire show began just after 9 p.m. Booms rumbled. Smoke wafted the distinct gunpowder fragrance of fireworks. Skyrockets flashed in the dark sky reflecting off the water of Gammon Lake.

Photo by John Rech