TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Festival brings music, fireworks to county

ADVERTISEMENT

By KARYN HOLTON

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: May 21, 2009

Hernando County can get ready for some real fireworks this summer. This year's Nature Coast Freedom Festival will be held on Friday, July 3, at Florida Classic Park on Lockhart Road in Brooksville. Planned exhibitions include a motocross demonstration, a talent show for local performers, a salute to veterans and a professional fireworks display.

However, the big appeal for many attendees is going to be Rodney Atkins, the headliner of the music events. Atkins has had several No. 1 country hits on the charts, including "Watching You" and "These Are My People." His most recent No. 1 hit was this past month with "It's America," from his newest album of the same name.

Joe Santerelli, organizer of the Freedom Festival, said having an artist of Atkins' caliber will be a great thing for the event.

"Overall, the quality of this year's event is going to be higher than last year's," said Santerelli, who is senior pastor of Hillside Community Baptist Church. "We learned a lot from last year, and we're hoping to make this year better in every way."

With an attendance of approximately 15,000 at last year's Freedom Festival, organizers have a lot to live up to. Sue Rupe, Hernando County Tourism Director, feels it's an achievable goal.

"We're working with vendors, organizers, local hotels and businesses to let people know that this is a fun, family-friendly event that everyone can enjoy," Rupe said.

"It's something that people can make a little vacation out of," Rupe added. "Come to the Freedom Fest on Friday, spend Saturday at Weeki Wachee and Buccaneer Bay ... It's a great weekend in Hernando County."

The fireworks display, which will be the only public display in the county, is by the same company that produced last year's show. Pyrotecnico, a 118-year old, Atlanta-based pyrotechnics designer, has done everything from NFL team stadium openings to weddings.

"Last year, we had people pulling over on the Interstate to watch the show," Rupe says. "It was just spectacular."

Another high-profile name on the program is "Cowboy" Kenny Bartram, the freestyle motocross rider. This multiple award-winning motorcyclist and rally car racer will be putting on a demonstration of his skills at jumping, flipping and contorting in midair with his bike.

"It's going to be a huge draw," Rupe said. "Motocross and country music? You can't beat that combination."

That "huge draw" is expected to bring as many as 30,000 visitors to Hernando County. However, according to the Hernando County Sherriff's office, no problems are anticipated.

"There were no incidents of any kind last year," Sgt. Donna Black reported. "They were a very upbeat group."

Black said organizers have hired eight deputies, mostly to deal with traffic in the rural area. "Last year, they were very quick in getting people onto the property, so we had no real traffic issues."

Food and drink will be available for sale at the site. No outside food, drink or coolers will be allowed. Advance ticket sales for VIP seating are available at the event's Web site. VIP tickets are $25 each and are the only ones available for advance sale. At the gate, which opens at 3 p.m., general admission tickets will be $5 per person. Parking will be $5 per car. The admission fee is a change from last year, when admission was free.

"We learned a bit about how to run an event this size from last year," Santerelli said. "The funds we raise this year will go back into planning next year's event."

"We priced tickets to see Rodney Atkins from $17 for the nosebleed section, up to $300 per ticket," Santerelli added. "When you add all the other things we'll have at the Freedom Festival, it's definitely worth the price of admission."

For vendor information, call Hillside Community Baptist Church at 352-799-0687. Nature Coast Freedom Festival: www.naturecoastfreedomfest.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT