Fishers Freedom Festival provides activities and fun
By Anna Skinner
All in Fishers have a chance to celebrate the fourth of July early without spending obscene amounts of money yet again.
The Fishers Freedom Festival returns this year June 27-28 at Roy Holland Memorial Park. The admission to the festival is free, as always, although attendants are asked to bring canned goods or school supplies to donate.
There will be food vendors, a zip line, a children’s tent, a dunk tank, a parade, a 5k run and more available over the two-day celebration.
“This event is to showcase our community and virtually everything is free,” Jennifer Kehl, event executive, said. “It’s nice for the families to be able to come out and spend the day and not have to spend a lot of money. We try to offer something for everyone, and the committee members enjoy doing this for the city. It’s our way of giving back and showcasing our community spirit.”
There is a free kiddie run on Saturday morning, and the participation in the children’s parade on Sunday is free as well.
It is Fishers’ Independence Day celebration, although it takes place a week early to avoid conflict with any of Conner Prairie’s celebrations. The event has been a staple in the community since 1989.
Kehl said the biggest change this year is the 5k run, which will not take place at 116th Street and Lantern Road anymore. The line-up will begin at Technology Park.
Deborah Miles, a past volunteer who still assists each year with her family, loves the Fishers Freedom Festival. She said her favorite part of it is the hometown feel it still obtains even though the City of Fishers has grown tremendously since the event started.
“It’s a great way to celebrate patriotism in our country and everyone is there as a family,” Miles said. “They are celebrating not only America, but Fishers, Ind. I really appreciate the mayor and city council and the support they’ve given the festival.”
Miles said that she, her family and the City of Fishers are there to serve, not be served.
“Giving back to the community only makes (Fishers Freedom Festival) better,” Miles said. “I’ve been honored and proud our family has been a part of that from the very beginning.”
There will be plenty of activities available for the whole family to enjoy, including a climbing wall and water balloon games. Kehl said that any charges are limited to food and specific games, and most of the activities are free.
Roy Holland Memorial Park is located at 1 Park Dr., Fishers.
“We enjoy doing this so much, this is the 27th year,” Kehl said. “It’s a staple in the community, we want people to come out and enjoy themselves.”
THEN AND NOW
Fishers population in 1989 – 3,000
Fishers population in 2015 – over 80,000
The 1989 Budget was $3,500
The 2015 Budget is $346,000
The 1989 attendance – 1,000
The 2014 attendance – 50,000
1989 Main Parade participation – 35 units
2014 Main Parade participation – 90 units
In 1989 the Run/Walk had about 50 runners
The 2014 Run/Walk over 1,400 participants
In 1989
Food Vendors – 0
Arts & Crafts – 20
Business Tent – 0
Free Games – 6
In 2015
Food Vendors – 30
Arts & Crafts – 150
Business Tent – 95
Free Games – 30
