What is the freedom fest? What does it aim at achieving? Which freedom fests have the largest audiences?
A freedom fest is an event that takes place for a day or more to bring people together, to take a stand for freedom or similar causes, create awareness about other issues, or simply for some fun and relaxation. The idea of holding freedom fests is loved by many, as it is also a great platform to display one’s hidden talent.
Here are the top 6 freedom fests that have been showered with love and gained popularity over the years.
Ultimate Guide to Top 6 Freedom Fests
1. Freedom Festival, Hull
Named in honor of Hull’s son, the slave trade abolitionist, William Wilberforce, Hull’s freedom festival was established in the year 2007. The fest marked the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act 1807, which was Wilberforce’s law enforced to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire.
Hull’s Freedom Fest is an annual performance art and music festival which takes place in Kingston city, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The elegant mix of entertainment welcomes a large audience from across Europe to experience art, dance, music, entertaining acts, and street theatre.
Hull’s Freedom Fest Throughout the Years
2008-2010
Held for the first time, the main stage of the festival was in the city center in Queen’s Gardens. There were other smaller stages in Trinity Square and Queen Victoria Square. The act that became everyone’s favorite was ‘The Magic Numbers.’
The second and third staging were much-expanded occasions. The fest’s activities, including an old fruit market warehouse and a spectacular fire display, were attended by a massive audience of around 1,50,000.
Apart from the fire display, there were major pop acts as well as local talent that performed on many stages around the city center, including Groove Rider, Florence, and the Machine, Pixie Lott, Peter Andre, and JLS.
2011-2013
It was during these years that the Hull Freedom Fest turned into a 3-4 days event. The line-up for these years was one of its kind, including Kyla La Grange, King Charles, Rory Motion, Roger Davies, The Belle Collective, The Hull Freedom Chorus, and Camille O’Sullivan.
During these years, the major pop stars like The Saturdays and JLS that had performed in the previous years were dropped, and more of the local acts were adopted in order to broaden the appeal of the festival. The freedom fest also showcased local artists and the local bands in the Fruit Market and the marina districts.
2014-2017
The fest took place on the first weekend of September. Several local musicals, as well as acts like The Happy Endings, The Talks, and Felony, were performed on the Fruit Trade Music Stage. The Hull Freedom Fest of 2017 was a part of Hull UK City of Culture offers. At the same festival, Kofi Annan, who is the former United Nations Secretary-General, was awarded the Wilberforce Medallion.
2018-2020
In 2018 and 2019, the freedom fest was held as usual in the month of September and was attended by around 80,000 people.
However, in 2020, a Freedom at Home online event replaced the outdoor fest due to the Coronavirus pandemic in May 2020.
2. America’s Freedom Fest
Known to be one of the longest and largest patriotic celebrations of the nation, America’s Freedom Fest at Provo is a non- profit foundation known to have organized more than 25 yearly events in and around Provo in Utah.
This organization’s stated mission is to honor, celebrate, strengthen, and teach the traditional American values of God, country, family, and freedom. Surprisingly, this freedom fest also sponsors the Fourth of July celebrations, Stadium of Fire, which is known to be one of the nation’s largest celebrations.
The stadium of fire is organized every year at LaVell Edward Stadium on Brigham Young University campus. The Journey (band), Carrie Underwood, Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, and Brad Paisley are some of the recent performers at Stadium of Fire.
It has been decided by the United States Department of Defense to broadcast some parts of this freedom fest to millions of women and servicemen who have been serving abroad for several years in the Armed Forces.
The freedom fest also includes launches of hot air balloons, a parade, a patriotic service, and a carnival. Colonial Heritage fair is one of the most popular events at the fest in which history, craftsmanship, and colonial skills are celebrated and taught.
3. International Freedom Fest- Windsor Detroit
A multi-day celebration taking place in the month of June, International Freedom Fest marks the American Independence Day on 4th July and Canada Day on 1st July. This multi-day fest is jointly celebrated by Windsor, Ontario in Canada and Detroit, Michigan, in the United States that attracts over 3.5 million visitors.
The International Freedom Fest was held for the first time in the year 1959. The festival was divided into two separate events, Detroit River Days and Windsor Summer Fest in 2007. The summer fest takes place in Winsor, Ontario, along the scenic riverfront.
The River Days Festival began in 2007 in the month of June by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy to introduce the mostly transformed Detroit International Riverfront to the visitors and the community. River Days Festival marked the opening of the many significant portions of the new Detroit River Walk. The festival has been continuing annually since then to highlight this destination in Detroit city.
The fireworks display is the highlight of both of the festivals in the celebration of Canada Day of Canada and the Independence Day of the United States. The fireworks display lights up the sky over Detroit and Windsor and is one of the most spectacular, one of North America’s largest displays.
This annual spectacle is held on Monday and attracts more than 1,000,000 visitors to Detroit and the Windsor riverfronts.
4. Evansville Freedom Festival
A yearly festival in Evansville, Indiana, Evansville Freedom Festival celebrates the Fourth of July. It first took place in the year 1970, including only a handful of events. It has now expanded to include air shows, unlimited boat racing, dances, music, food booths, and spectacular fireworks show over Evansville’s riverfront.
The Thunder on the Ohio hydroplane races was the most popular and significant event of the Evansville Freedom Festival from 1979 to 2008. In fact, the American Boat Association season’s first-ever official race was Thunder. However, in the year 2009, Thunder on Ohio separated from the Evansville Freedom Festival and became a stand-alone event by August.
Thunder continues to draw drivers and boats not only from the local favorites but from all over the country. The Blue Angels of the United States Navy have been another attraction in recent times. Blue Angels were a part of the Freedom Festival’s air show in the years 2001 and 2005.
The freedom festival came to be known as the Shriners Fest in 2011, as the Local Hadi Temple runs it now.
Also read Italian Festival Columbus, Ohio: 10 Best Facts.
5. Birmingham Freedom Fest
It took place in July 2019 for the first time and became a festival that entertained its audience and empowered it.
This fest is a full-day celebration that features national artists like Musiq Soulchild, Southern Rap legends MJG and 8 Ball, Alvin Garrett, Ruben Studdard, and many more. It is usually hosted at 16th Street North and Fifth Avenue North, which is the main stage’s location. Apart from the established artists, the newcomers and the aspiring artists get their moment to shine in the spotlight too.
Birmingham fest is an attempt to showcase the city’s talent and go beyond. It celebrates the beauty of the city’s culture, its spirit, and its purpose. To know more about the schedule, artist line-up, and to have a sneak peek of the last two years of the fest.
6. Freedom Fest, Wisconsin
Begun as a ‘backyard BBQ’ in 2002, Wisconsin’s freedom fest transformed into one of the largest community festivals in Janesville in the Wisconsin area. This festival has a vibrant history of serving the community. Initially, when it started, it had a church family and a few friends, but now it has grown to be a full-blown fest.
It was estimated in the previous years that around 25,000 to 30,000 people attended this freedom fest. It has drawn large crowds from different religions as a result of its great history, which included delicious food, amazing stage performances, and many other attractions. The best part about this freedom fest is that it is totally free of cost.
There is absolutely no charge for admission to the parking, concerts, or the fireworks display. This means that you can have an awesome, fun-filled, and memorable day without worrying about your pocket.
One of the integral parts of this freedom fest is the Day of Compassion. The freedom of fest has been able to offer free health and wellness activities to its visitors because of its partnership with Mercy Health. Every year, thousands of clothing, as well as thousands of grocery items, are distributed among the people.
This was our list of the top 5 freedom fests. Which freedom fest out of all grabbed your attention the most? What is your idea of a perfect freedom fest? Let us know in the comments section.
Last Updated on by Kirti Chhikara21
