Freedom for Fun this Fourth of July in Austin

Published 1:01 pm Saturday, June 29, 2024

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You will have the freedom for fun this summer with Austin’s annual summer bash — Freedom Fest.

Freedom Fest will be held on July 3-4 and includes all of the events you have come to know and love, including the revealing of this year’s Pillars of the City, games and entertainment and of course the fireworks display.

While there are many of the same kinds of fun that have become tradition for many in Austin, there will also be some new items this year including a live bald eagle presentation at the Bandshell Stage on July 3 from 2-2:45 p.m.

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On July 4, starting at 11 a.m. the Fourth of July Parade will begin its march through the heart of Austin, organized by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce with this year’s grand marshal, Mike Ankeny, leading the way.

For more information, visit: www.freedomfestaustin.com/

Schedule

Friday, June 28

7 p.m.: MacPhail’s Parking Lot Palooza featuring MacPhail Student Rock Bands in the Austin High Schools Parking Lot.

Saturday, June 29

8 p.m. to midnight: Torge’s Street Dance featuring Flashmob! in the parking lot.

Wednesday, July 3

​Entertainment Schedule

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Acclaim Dance Studio

2-2:45 p.m.: Live Bald Eagle Presentation

2:30-3 p.m.: Mason Pacholl Music (Eagles Tent)

3-4:15 p.m.: The Belt Buckles (Bandshell Stage)

3-4:30 p.m.: MacPhail students perform (Eagles Tent)

4:30-6 p.m.: Little Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant (Bandshell Stage)

6-7 p.m.: RAD Zoo Presentation (Eagles Tent)

7-8:30 p.m.: 70’s Magic Sunshine Band (Bandshell Stage)

Activities Schedule

2-8 p.m.: Bingo (Veteran’s Pavilion)

2:30-7 p.m.: Children’s Inflatables and Corn Box; Tween/Teen Zone: Foam Archery, Soccer, Hamster Ball Race, Obstacle Course

2:30-7:30 p.m.: HelpCare Clinic First Aid Station

3-6 p.m.: Horse’n Around Pony Rides

3-7 p.m.: Kaptain Kirby Children’s Train Rides, Jim Jayes Wandering Magic, Food Trucks – throughout the day, Craft Vendors – throughout the day, Gravity Storm Craft Beer Garden, VFW Beer Garden, shade tents and inflatable golf

​Thursday, July 4

10:45 a.m.: Mini Piggy Fun Run

11 a.m.: Parade (organizers: Austin Area Chamber of Commerce)

Entertainment Schedule 

1:30 p.m.: Veteran’s Opening Ceremony and National Anthem by the Austinaires (Bandshell Stage)

2-3 p.m.: MacPhail Student Performances (Eagles Tent)

2-3:30 p.m.: BYO Brass (Bandshell)

3-3:30 p.m.: Join MacPhail for bucket drumming-all ages  (Eagles Tent)

3:30-5:30 p.m.: MacPahil student performances (Eagles Tent)

4-5:30 p.m.: Papa J (Bandshell)

5-5:30 p.m.: Mason Pacholl, MacPhail Musician (Eagles Tent)

5:30-6 p.m.: Join MacPhail for SingPlayLearn! (Eagles Tent)

6-7:30 p.m.: Sena and Cole Acoustic Duo (Bandshell)

8-8:20 p.m.: Pillars of the Community Ceremony

8:30-10 p.m.: Austin Symphony Orchestra

10 p.m.: Fireworks over Bandshell Park

Activities Schedule    

1:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Althing Clnic First Aid Station

1:30-4 p.m.: River Rats Car Club  Show & Shine, along 9th Place

2 p.m.: Hwy 218 Cornhole Tourney. Sign-up begins at 2 p.m., tourney starts at 2:30 p.m.

2-4 p.m.: Westminster Free Ice Cream Social

2-8 p.m.: Children’s Inflatables and Corn Box; Tween/Teen Zone: Foam Archery, Soccer, Hamster Ball Race, Obstacle Course; Hasse Family Petting Zoo; Bingo (Veteran’s Pavilion)

3-6 p.m.: Horse’n Around Pony Rides

3:30 p.m.: Sign up for Kids Pedal Pull Competition (ages 4-11). Competition begins at 4 p.m. in the West Parking Lot. Trophies for each age group!

Food Trucks – throughout the day, Craft Vendors – throughout the day, Gravity Storm Craft Beer Garden, VFW Beer Garden

Friday, July 5

Eagles Club Independence Day Outdoor Dance

5:30-8:30 p.m.: LP & the 45’s

9 p.m. to midnight: Slippin’ Jimmy

Saturday, July 6

6:30 a.m.: Darren Dash / FreedomFest 5K. 6:30-7:45 a.m. Packet pick up, 8 a.m. race begins.

8:30 p.m.: Kids Fishing Contest, East Side Lake. On-site registration, 8:30-10 p.m. Fishing time, 9-10:50 a.m. 11 p.m. awards

Sunday, July 7

​7-10 a.m.: Morning Lions Fly-In Breakfast, Austin Airport