Freedom Festival has long history in Gentry
GENTRY — This year’s Freedom Festival in Gentry City Park is billed as the 105th annual celebration because the Gentry July Fourth celebration was officially sanctioned as a Gentry celebration by city ordinance in 1913 — hmm, if the first was in 1913, it would take an additional 105 celebrations to include next week’s celebration, making this one the 106th — possibly.
But the celebration really goes back to the city’s very beginnings.
The day was celebrated in Gentry from the earliest records. For example, the June 26, 1896, issue of the
Gentry Journal included this notice: “A celebration at Gentry, Benton County, Ark., under the auspices of the Populist Party. The committee in charge invites each and every one, irrespective of party, to be present and enjoy the day with them. Come with your baskets well filled. There will be good speakers and good music, both vocal and instrumental. Plenty of amusement for all. Don’t fail to attend this
celebration….”
The June 22, 1900, issue of the Gentry JournalAdvance included this notice: “Grand Celebration at Gentry July 4! — The biggest celebration in the history of the city will occur on the above date. Better speakers, more attractions, and the Fireworks display in the evening will be grand and spectacular and will be worth coming 50 miles to witness. Come and enjoy life for (the) day.”
And on June 27 of 1913, the following was included in the Gentry Journal-Advance:
“Don’t fail to come to Gentry to the Fourth of July Celebration … We are assured of good speaking by Senator Rodgers, of Gravette, Dr. Templeton, of Siloam, and John L. Crank, of Gentry.”
Features at the celebration in 1913 included a merry-go-round, band concerts, baseball, races, a bucking bronco contest and fireworks.
The announcement concluded by saying, “Everything possible is being done to amuse and entertain our visitors, and we want everybody to come and enjoy themselves.”
Whether the 105th, 106th or 123rd, the city of Gentry and Gentry Chamber of Commerce are still doing everything possible to entertain all who come to the annual celebration, and “we want everybody to come and enjoy themselves.” to sing a duet.
“Soul-inspiring music” was promised all day long by the “celebrated Gentry Band.”
In June of 1915, there was disagreement on when the July 4th celebration would be observed since the fourth fell on a Sunday. Some wanted the celebration to be held on Saturday and some on Monday. No agreement could be reached but, after a review of city ordinances, it was discovered that a 1913 Gentry city ordinance stated the following: “That hereafter July 4th, except when the same shall come on Sunday, and then July 3rd shall be a day of general celebrating in the city of Gentry, and hereafter the people of the city and surrounding country are invited to meet and celebrate in an appropriate manner with full privileges from the city to do or act in any manner not conflicting with morals or rights of self or others.”
Another ad in the Journal-Advance offered the following reminder: “Don’t forget that Gentry will celebrate the 4th of July in fitting style. Everybody in Benton County is expected to attend. Our latchstring is long enough to include the adjoining states whose people are invited to be present and test our hospitality. Gentry never disappoints.”