GENTRY -- Gentry's 101st Freedom Festival on July 4 in the Gentry City Park is promising to be one of the biggest yet, with three top-notch musical performances in the afternoon and evening and activities beginning in the morning and continuing all day until the fireworks display at dusk.
Staring off the day, at 6:30 a.m., is a one-mile and a 5K run. Registration for the two events, sponsored by McKee Foods Employee Recreation Association, will be at the large pavilion on the south side of the city park. For more information, contact Adam Carter at [email protected] or by calling 479-736-2601, ext. 3301.
The annual coed softball tournament begins at 9 a.m., with games continuing throughout the day, Contact Jodye Pool at 479-790-8988 to sign up a team or obtain more information.
The Fireworks in the Park Car Show begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 4 p.m. Cars will be displayed and judged on the north side of the park, around the circle walkway. Divisions include 1900-1930; 1931-1954; 1955-1966; 1967-1979; 1980-1999; 2000-2012; Rat Rods; Special Interest; 18 and Under; Mayor's Choice; Peoples' Choice; Best Wheels; Best Engine; and Best Interior. There will be a DJ at the car show spinning tunes. Contact Tammie Runyan at 479-238-4979 for more information.
Tired Iron of the Ozarks will again have some of its antique tractors on display on the south side of the park under the shade trees. The club will also offer free rides in people-mover custom hay wagons pulled by antique farm tractors.
A Little Miss and Mister Gentry Pageant is set for 4 p.m. on the stage. Children entering must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old as of July 4 and live in the Gentry School District. Entry forms are available at Gentry City Hall.
Inflatable rides and other fun activities will be available all day for the children.
The Kaylin Cripps Band will take the main stage at 4:30 p.m. Kaylin is a local singer with talent enough to carry her far. She's been singing since age 3 and is working on a new album.
The ShotGunBillys will take over at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage with a mix of Southern country and rock music. The four-member group promises to provide an energy-packed and pleasing show.
Jordan Rager will begin his concert at 8 p.m. and lead up to the huge fireworks display at dusk. Rager is a young up-and-coming country star. Jordan is a 19-year-old singer and songwriter from Loganville, Ga., just outside of Athens. He was a member of Team Blake on season 2 of NBC's "The Voice" and is currently a member of the "Off The Beaten Path" tour along with Justin Moore, Randy Houser and Josh Thompson.
A meet and greet with Rager will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Adams Pavilion. Jordan will sign autographs and be available for photographs with fans at this time. He will not be available after his performance because he will be leaving immediately for a July 5 performance in Chicago.
And, of course, fireworks -- with every year bigger and better -- will follow the Rager concert. Gentry Volunteer Fire Department will again launch the spectacular display on the west side of the city park.
Sponsors for this year's celebration include: AAF, SWEPCO/AEP, McKee Foods Corporation, Cherokee Nation Entertainment, Gentry Chamber of Commerce, the city of Gentry and Gentry United Way.
General News on 06/18/2014