Veterans Day is fast approaching, and the weekend ahead of the holiday is typically busy — but perhaps not to the level seen Saturday.
By itself, Freedom Fest was teeming with activity at the All Veterans Memorial. Activities started with a full field for the Norwegian Ruck March. Organizer Ray Baquero of Vigilance Martial Arts was pleasantly surprised to see the ongoing interest in the event.
Another well-attended event was the Dynamic Discs Freedom Fest Open. Company spokesperson Jackie Morris says Dynamic Discs is proud to support both the event and area veterans.
Heavy attendance was also noted for the Spur Challenge, bike rides sponsored by Lyon County State Bank and the very first Kids Mini Mission Dash. Main Street Director Casey Woods says it was good to have an activity geared towards children.
To longtime event organizer Steve Harmon, Freedom Fest has always been a way to encapsulate what Emporia is all about. And that includes the philanthropic side of the event.
As Freedom Fest participants largely started coming back to Soden’s Grove, if they ever left, activities began at the Fairgrounds Anderson Building for the annual Quilts of Gratitude giveaway. Organizer Kathy Hamman sees the event as a way to give back to veterans.
Saturday’s activity slate culminated with country musician Coffey Anderson at the Emporia Granada Theatre. The son of a veteran, Anderson says it just makes sense to honor military service personnel. And not everyone in the music industry has always felt that way.
And the Anderson concert will be followed by a free concert through the Emporia Municipal Band on Sunday.
Tuesday’s schedule for Veterans Day includes a special veterans breakfast at Presbyterian Manor at 7 am, the annual parade along Commercial Street at 9:30 am, the annual memorial service at the All Veterans Memorial at 11 am, veterans luncheon at the American Legion Post t starting at noon and a free screening of “Top Gun” at the Emporia Granada Theatre at 7 pm. KVOE will live-stream Tuesday’s parade on YouTube@kvoenews. The memorial service will air on KVOE 1400 AM, 96.9 FM and YouTube@kvoenews.
Click here for YouTube@kvoenews, including YouTube Shorts from Saturday’s activities.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
