Freedom Fest: Event a 'hot' ticket

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Fireworks burst over Sheppard Air Force Base during Freedom Fest's approximately 30-minute show Saturday night.

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News A group looks at a 1964 Chevy Nova on the lot of the car show at Freedom Fest at Sheppard Air Force Base Saturday afternoon. The car show featured various models from classics to current cars and trucks.

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Airman 1st Class William Little (left) helps Brooke Wilson, 3, down a tall waterslide at Freedom Fest at Sheppard Air Force Base Saturday afternoon.

Crowds of people gathered at Freedom Fest hosted by Sheppard Air Force Base on Saturday despite the extreme heat.

The sun beat down without a cloud in the sky in the afternoon hours as Loius Lewis, the second of five bands to play at the festival, played their set.

"It's all about celebrating the Fourth of July and freedom, but it's also about the community relations and giving back to the community at large and also the base just a big celebration to bring us all together," said Lt. Col. Bart Kenerson, director of the event.

Water slides and bounce houses armed with water sprayers for children appropriately littered the festival grounds. Several families tried to stay cool by sitting under a pavilion in the shade.

SAFB has hosted the event for more than eight years, and Kenerson said it wouldn't be able to do so without community support.

"The great part about Freedom Fest is this event is really hosted by the base, but it's made (possible) by downtown. It makes me extremely proud to be a part of the community. It would take probably about 15 to 20 minutes to recognize every single person that aided or assisted (the event)," Kenerson said.

He thanked the community for all the support they provide, saying downtown organizations supplied more than $140,000 in sponsorship funds.

Read more:
Freedom Fest: Event a 'hot' ticket