LaFayette plans July 4 Freedom Festival

LaFayette officials are stepping up plans for this year’s July 4 Freedom Festival celebration.

“The city leadership, they’d like this festival to grow,” said Main Street and Economic Development Director Catherine Edgemon. “They look at Down Home Days in Chickamauga and how wildly successful that is. They would like to have something on a similar level.”

This year more big name acts, such as headliner The Rockerz, will be at the July 4 event.

The Rockerz cover classic band tunes ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Garth Brooks to Aretha Franklin and Pink Floyd.

The Jeff Treece Band will also be at the event, organizers said. The Knoxville-based band tours more than 200 dates annually and has shared the stage with Tanya Tucker, Lonestar, Josh Turner and the Backstreet Boys.

Radio personality Kelly McCoy from KZ106 in Chattanooga will emcee the festival, and officials said there will be something to entertain those of all ages.

“The festival is one of the most spectacular events in the city all year,” Mayor Neal Florence said in a prepared statement. “We want to offer a wide variety of entertainment so that we will have something to appeal to everyone.”

Director of Parks and Recreation Patti Scott said she is expecting about 3,000 people to attend this year’s event, which has been going on for at least a decade.

This year a carnival for children ages 10 and under will be available for $5. The carnival includes a magic show and inflatables.

Food and activity vendors will also be set up.

“It is fantastic food,” Ms. Scott said. “There is every kind of food you can imagine.”

Other events, such as free swimming from 7 to 9 p.m. and a baseball game, will help keep crowds entertained, officials said.

Ms. Edgemon said she hopes the event also boosts local business.