Freedom Festival slated for July 4th
GENTRY — The 103rd annual Freedom Festival to be held on July 4th in Gentry City Park is only two weeks away. In addition to the spectacular fireworks display planned for the evening, the celebration will include some top- notch entertainment.
Headlining the evening’s entertainment will be Barrett Baber, an Arkansas musician known for his performances on NBC’s “The Voice” and for winning the CBS Grammy Gig of a Lifetime in 2014. He is becoming wellknown across the music scene for his unique and soulful country sound.
Opening for Baber will be Kaylin Cripps, of Gentry. Cripps and her band are known locally for their style of country performances and often provide entertainment at major local events.
The day’s schedule includes: a car show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Tammie Runyan in charge; inflatable rides from noon until dark; food vendors from 11 a.m. until dark; a Tiny Tot Pageant for children, ages 3-5, (applications are available by emailing the Gentry Chamber office at info@gentrychamber.com or Brandy Cordeiro at bcordeiro@gentrypioneers.com); Kaitlin Carlson, a local singer, to perform from 5 to 6 p.m.; Kaylin Cripps and her band to be on stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; and Barrett Baber to perform from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow at dark.
Other items being planned include a raffle for a bicycle, sponsored by Arvest Bank; a raffle for an NWA Naturals jersey to support the Gentry Pride 11U girls’ softball team, donated by NWA Naturals and Arvest Ballpark; and a giveaway every hour from 3 to 9 p.m. for two free tickets to Gentry Night at the Arvest Ballpark on July 13, sponsored by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce.
Fireworks this year are sponsored by McKee Foods. The concert is sponsored by Gentry United Way, with the special stage sponsored by Smith Drug. Other sponsors include: Cherokee Casino, Grand Savings Bank, Arvest Bank, Innuendos Design and possibly more.
Gentry’s Freedom Festival promises fun for the entire family during the day and a spectacular fireworks display after dark. Everyone is invited to come out and join in the celebration.
For more information, call Janie Parks, Chamber director, at 479-736-2358 or by email at info@gentrychamber.com.