The Fourth of July season starts a few weeks early in Greenwood, when the city hosts its largest community event in the Freedom Festival. Thousands of people come together for music, shopping, games and patriotic displays, topped off by a rousing fireworks display.
The festivities kick off with the annual parade, which starts at Greenwood Middle School and loops around the Old Town area before returning to the middle school. Children are invited to decorate their bicycles and wagons, while marching bands, local civic organizations and police cars and fire trucks are prominently featured.
Music is always a big part of the Freedom Festival, and organizers have lined up a full slate of diverse performers to keep people entertained all day long. Favorites such as Tastes Like Chicken and First Time Callers will rock the main stage at the Greenwood Amphitheater, headlined by a performance by Cornfield Mafia at 8 p.m.
Some of the area’s up-and-coming musical groups will compete in the annual Freedom Jam, a battle of the bands hoping to earn a spot opening the main stage at the 2018 festival. And children’s performers will keep the younger attendees busy in a special Kids Zone area.
In the midst of the music, fun and games, it can be easy to forget about what the Fourth of July celebrates. With Grace Assembly of God’s annual Honor Our Heroes event, people can take some time to recognize the police officers, firefighters, military personnel and veterans during a special ceremony.
Then everything comes to a crescendo with a fireworks display at dusk. Set up camp early to get a good view.
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Greenwood Freedom Fest
When: Noon to 11:15 p.m. Saturday
Where: Craig Park, 10 E. Smith Valley Road
Schedule
- Noon: Parade starts at Greenwood Middle School
- 1 to 9 p.m.: Kids Zone with face painters, bounce houses, magic and other activities.
- 1 to 11:15 p.m.: Vendors open
- 2 p.m. Freedom Jam starts
- 3 p.m. Tastes Like Chicken
- 3:45 p.m. Carl Storie Band
- 5:15 p.m. Savannah Lynne
- 6 p.m. First Time Callers; Freedom Jam winner announcement
- 6:10 p.m. Savannah Lynne
- 7 p.m. Honor our Heroes
- 8 p.m. Cornfield Mafia
- 8:30 p.m. Alan Kaye and the Toons
- 10:05 p.m. National Anthem
- 10:10 p.m. Greenwood Fire Department honor guard, “Taps” and flag salute
- 10:15 p.m. Fireworks
Information: greenwoodfreedomfestival.com
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