THIS year's Mt. Morris Let Freedom Ring celebration has several new activities and many of the old ones everyone enjoys all centered around the historical town square. The theme this year is “Celebrate Stars & Stripes” and will begin Friday, June 29. Throughout the celebration a Craft Faire will be located on the downtown square, the Children's Tent will be on Main Street next to Sterling Federal, the Silent Auction will be set-up in the old Felker building and the carnival will line Wesley Ave. Also, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Bingo can be played in the Bingo tent on the square.
The celebration kicks off Friday, June 29 at the bandshell with the Lil Miss & Mr. Pageant at 6P.m., followed by the Let Freedom Ring Queen crowning and then Big Daddy Woo Woo in the beer garden. This is also opening night for the carnival with armbands. Lots of yummy food will be available in the Food Court throughout the celebration; including smoked bbq, tacos, brats & hotdogs, donuts, and more. This is also the night for the Senior Center's brats and hotdog dinner.
Saturday, June 30 will be a full day of fun and children's activities. Start your day with one of Cliff's delicious donuts before attending the Antique Truck Show on Main Street at 9 a.m.. The bags tourna.m.ent swings into action at 11 a.m., the Hen Party roosts at the Moose at noon, and at 1 p.m. the bed racers will race down Main Street. At 4 p.m. the Pork Producers will start serving up their yummy pork chop sandwiches just before the kick-off of the John Bednarczyk Kiddee Parade followed by the Kiddee Water Fights. At 7 p.m. Abandon All Hope will play at the bandshell and at 8 p.m. Dot Dot Dot will take the stage in the beer garden.
Sunday, July 1 will open with an Author's Booksigning at 10 a.m., then at 1 p.m. Monkeys and More will have an hour long animal show with chances for audience participation. These animals will be coming from an exotic animal rescue and should prove to be very fun and interesting. At 3 p.m. an Elvis impersonator will take the stage for all of us old-time Elvis fans while 50's, 60's, and other vintage cars are arriving for the Cruise-In. Then at 7 p.m. the cars will twice cruise the streets of Mt. Morris via the parade route from Brayton to Ogle to Main Street and back to the Kable News parking lot.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Evangelical Free Church will hold their 13th Annual Picnic at the bandshell, starting with the Fresh Start Band, a free hotdog picnic, and a puppet show by the EFCMM Youth Group. The evening winds up with Back Country Roads taking the stage in the beer garden at 8 p.m.
Monday, July 2 the daily activities of the carnival, Silent Auction, and Children's Tent will be ongoing and at 8 p.m. the historical Kable Concert Band will play at the bandshell.
Tuesday, July 3 again the daily activities will take place through-out the day and at 5 p.m. the Beef Producers will start serving up their fa.m.ous ribeye sandwiches. Bootleg Flyers will play at the bandshell at 7 p.m. and at 9 p.m. the long awaited for Alumni Party begins at the Moose.
Wednesday, July 4th, “Celebrate Stars and Stripes” begins with the Firemen's tastey breakfast at 7A.m. followed by the Lois Nelson Pound the Pavement Walk with registration at 8:30A.m. at Dillehay Park. The Silent Auction winds up from 8:30A.m. to 10:30A.m. just before the Lions and Kiwanis serve their sandwiches on the ca.m.pus. At noon at the bandshell the Patriotic Progra.m. begins followed by the world fa.m.ous Bell Ringing at 1P.m.. The Feed the Need Motorcyle Parade runs the parade route at 1P.m. and at 2P.m. sharp the Grand Parade - Celebrating Stars & Stripes winds it's way through the tree-lined streets of Mt. Morris. At 8P.m. behind the DL Rahn Junior HS, a patriotic concert wll be played by the Kable Concert Band and the celebration commences at dusk with the Fireworks Gala.
For more details and complete schedules see the www.letfreedomringfestival.com website or pick-up a pocket schedule in local businesses.
