GENTRY -- This summer's freedom festival in Gentry, along with its fireworks display, has become another casualty of the covid-19 pandemic, with the announcement being made in May by Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Janie Parks.
"Unfortunately, the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Gentry Freedom Fest due to COVID-19," Parks posted on the Chamber Facebook page. "This decision was made with the safety of the public, officials, entertainers and vendors in mind. Just remember, the Freedom Fest will be back in 2021 and will be better than ever!"
The annual festival usually draws large crowds to enjoy the car show, children's games and rides, band performances, and the large fireworks display at the close of the celebration.
Compliance with current guidelines issued by the Arkansas Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control would make such a large gathering as the annual Freedom Festival and its activities impossible.
The Gentry Chamber of Commerce remains hopeful that the annual festival can again take place on July 4, 2021.
The festival was officially established by city ordinance in 1913, but newspaper archives indicate it was an annual event already in 1896. This year may be the first July 4 in Gentry for 107 years or more without the annual celebration.