AMERICA’S FREEDOM FEST TO BE HELD JULY 6

Fireworks at night
Photo by Garreth Broesche on Unsplash

Bring your friends and family Saturday, July 6, to the third annual America’s Freedom Fest, featuring Rotors N Ribs, a daylong celebration featuring an airshow, 5k run/walk and fireworks display. The event will take place at the Goshen Municipal Airport, 17229 CR 42, Goshen, Indiana.

Though this is the third annual Freedom Fest celebration, 2019 marks 25 years since Goshen held its first airshow. Goshen Municipal Airport Manager, Randy Sharkey, stated, “it’s our tradition of having one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest, this event is attracting close to 30,000 spectators each year.”

The day at the airport begins at 8 a.m. with the Freedom Fest 5000. Now in its seventh year, the Freedom Fest 5000 continues to gain popularity among the running community with its unique venue. A $25 registration fee includes a 5K run/walk on the airport runway, a chance to win great prizes, and a ticket for the airshow later in the day.

Gates for the airshow open at 1 p.m. Warbirds and other static aircraft will be on display throughout the afternoon for those interested in viewing them up close. Food vendors and kiddie rides will also be available throughout the day.

The airshow will start at approximately 5:45 p.m. with performances by the USAF F-22 Raptor Military Team, P-51 Heritage Flight, Shockwave Jet Truck, Susan Dacy in Big Red, Randy Ball’s Mig-17 Russian Jet, Kyle Franklin’s Dracula, Sky Soldiers Helicopter demonstrations, skydivers and more! 

“This is the more impressive line-up we’ve ever had at the Goshen Airport,” Sharkey said.

Mad Bomber Fireworks will begin at dark around 10 p.m. ending a day packed full of fun with the traditional fireworks display. A full schedule can be found at americasfreedomfest.net.

Tickets in advance are $12 for adults and $4 for children. At the gate (the day of the event), tickets will cost $15 for adults and $5 for children. Children under the age of 5 are free-of-charge, as are veterans with military ID.

For those wanting to watch only the fireworks display, gates will open at 9 p.m. No tickets will be required at that time.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the following locations:

  • First State Bank (locations in Goshen, Middlebury, Elkhart and South Bend)
  • Goshen City Hall, 202 S. 5th St., Goshen
  • 5&20 Country Restaurant, 7995 Hwy 20, Shipshewana
  • Double R Grocery, 65730 SR 13, Millersburg
  • Gardners Outdoor Power Equipment, 2804 S. Main St., Goshen
  • Goshen Municipal Airport, Main terminal building, 17229 CR 42, Goshen