Rain Couldn’t Dampen Freedom Celebration

Despite the rainy evening, families from across White County gathered at the White County Recreational Complex, 4201 Smithville Highway, on July 3 for the annual Freedom Celebration hosted by Christpoint Church to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The event brought the community together for live entertainment, family activities, local vendors, and a fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day.

Christpoint Church Executive Operations Pastor Tena Qualls said the event is designed to provide families with an opportunity to celebrate together without the cost often associated with holiday events.

"The goal for hosting each year is to give our community a fun-filled, patriotic event that's wholesome and family-oriented that they don't have to pay to attend," Qualls said.

Throughout the evening, families enjoyed food trucks and vendors that lined the grounds and ended the night in their cars or set up with lawn chairs and blankets to watch the finale fireworks show.

Food options were supplied by local businesses that signed up. Including features from Smokin' Barrel BBQ, shaved ice from Mountain Sno on the Go and Kona Ice, hot dogs from D&D's Hotdogs, meals from Trailhead Grub, Habibi's Mexican Kitchen and The Lemon Lounge & Grill, along with treats from Bubba's Treats, Warner Wagon Concessions, Half Acre Farm and 4 Heifers and A Pig.

Craft and informational booths gave visitors an opportunity to shop with local vendors and connect with community organizations as well. Participants included Onyx Roofing & Construction, No Catchy Name Crochet & Sewing, Impact Community Outreach, God's Graffiti Youth Conference, Pink Zebra, Godmobile, and GFWC Sparta G.I.V.E.S., along with several local and state political candidates.

And while attendees experienced a night of celebration, Qualls said organizing the Freedom Celebration requires months of preparation and the support of numerous community partners.

"The event is an entire year's planning that obviously requires greater attention as the Fourth of July draws nearer," Qualls said. "We will set the following year's dates a lot of times before this year's is over."

Qualls also credited the many organizations and volunteers who help make the event possible each year.

"Being the organizer of Freedom Celebration is a monumental task," she said. "We have wonderful partners in the county, WM, all our wonderful vendors, the Boy Scouts and Pyro Shows, to name only a few."

The evening concluded with a fireworks display presented by Pyro Shows, a company that also produces fireworks displays for Cookeville, Nashville, and other major events throughout the South.

Angel Clarl, an attendee of the celebration said, “It was a super fun event to hang out with my friends and the fireworks were beautiful.”

The Freedom Celebration was made possible through the support of White County Government, Christpoint Church, and numerous community partners who helped organize the annual event. The planning for next year’s celebration is already in the works.