FLORENCE-The 33rd Annual Spirit of Freedom Celebration, an annual Shoals tradition featuring live music, food, drinks and fireworks, is set for Friday, July 4 in McFarland Park in Florence.
“On behalf of the City of Florence, I am happy that the Shoals Radio Group
Mayor Mickey Haddock
produces this annual regional family favorite, our Spirit of Freedom Celebration,” said Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock. “This patriotic event celebrates our nation’s birth. I invite everyone to join us for a day of relaxation and fun.”
“The 2014 Spirit of Freedom Celebration will offer a great line-up of entertainment and a beautiful setting on the banks of the Tennessee River,” said Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Executive Director Debbie Wilson. “Watching the fireworks on the banks of the river is a time honored tradition in the Shoals.”
Dale Watson
Local and regional acts will perform on the event stage, starting at 1 pm. Alabama native Dale Watson is this year’s headliner, performing immediately after the fireworks display.
Watson is best known as “Austin’s King of Country Music.” He was born in Birmingham, AL, but has made his home in Austin, TX. He is the quintessential country baritone that calls his musical style “Ameripolitan”. According to promoters, Watson’s sound is “smooth honky-tonk, the twang of Buck Owens, overlaid with Merle Haggard’s velvety delivery, and Elvis’ range and power. “ He has over 20 albums, with his latest being “El Rancho Azul,” which debuted on Billboard’s Current Country Albums Chart. Old and new country fans will appreciate the classic roots country sound.
New to the event this year is the Budweiser Beer Garden presented by Tennessee Street Billiards and Grill. Although entry into the entire event is free, food and drinks will be available for purchase. Outside food and drink are prohibited. Coolers will be checked upon entry into the park.
Souvenir vendors will be found all around the park. Another new addition to this year’s event is rides on “Big Jake”, a mechanical bull.
Sponsors include The City of Florence, Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, The Shoals Radio Group, TNT Fireworks, Lewey’s Sports & Apparel, NuWay Vape, Octapharma Plasma, Natchez Trace Harley Davidson, Regina K’s Restaurant and Catering, Grand Rental Station, Bankston Motor Home, Budweiser, Tennessee Street Billiards and Grill and E.A. Nelson Company.
Listen to WLAY-FM, WMSR-FM, WNXV-FM and WVNA-FM for updates. For more information, contact Florence/Lauderdale Tourism at 256-740-4141.
MEDIA RELEASE/FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE TOURISM/GEORGIA CARTER TURNER COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
3 comments
Are they crazy? For them to sell alcohol and have drunks in the park, we lose the family fun. It sounds to me, that they are saying family’s leave and we only want drunks. Not family friendly. I have always took the family down to the bottom and grilled my own food. Been doing this for over 20 years, they now say I can’t do this. The fireworks show is not worth that sacrifice to me. I guess I will not be going to the park this year! The people who made this decision needs to rethink it! They are just destroying the for Spirit of Freedom celebration for hundreds of families who is like me and enjoy a day the park, grilling , swimming and letting the children have just some clean fun.
Mistake allowing alcohol… takes away from the whole family concept.. but of course cities will add number of DUIs for the night.
Michelle……I will be changing where I go to celebrate the Fourth, We are heading out of town, to a venue that allows us to do what we have been doing for years, take a grill and cooler full of food and drinks and spend a day of clean family fun. I will drive for several hours to a town that allows that and has a great show at the end of day. Grilling on the fourth is something I am not going to give up! This new mayor needs to be kicked out, for allowing this to happen! Mickey Haddock, thank you for destroying what we hold dear!