By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Freedom Fest, Kosciusko County’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday, kicks off Friday and continues through Sunday with most activities at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
The forecast calls for a chance of rain on Friday night and into Saturday, but organizers are pushing forward.
Teresa Jones, with the Kosciusko County Historical Society, which has organized an expansive historical encampment at the fairgrounds for all three days, was asked about her outlook.
“We’re watching the skies as well. Whether rain or shine, we want people to come out. Let’s celebrate,” Jones said.
Mike Loher, the lead organizer for the festival, remains optimistic.
“We’re gonna roll with it and do the best we can,” Loher said.
The forecast for Sunday includes only a slight chance of rain and partly sunny skies.
High temperatures for the entire weekend will be in the mid-80s, the National Weather Service said.
A patriotic kickoff begins at noon Friday at the fairgrounds with the raising of the nation’s largest American flag. “That is going to be a spectacular sight to see. It’ll be seen from miles away,” Loher said.
Below are some of the highlights for Friday and Saturday:
Friday activities
- From 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, the vendors and food trucks will be open on the midway.
- From 4 to 8 p.m., the Historic Village is open with demonstrations and vendors.
- From 5:30 to 7 p.m., historical interpretations of Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams will be featured.
- At 6:30 p.m., there will be a drum and song circle by the Miami Nation at the Historical Village.
- 7 p.m. the American Legion Band of Fort Wayne will perform at Central Park, Warsaw.
- 9:30 p.m., a Franciscan Fireworks America 250 fireworks display at the fairgrounds.
Saturday activities
- 7 to 10 a.m., the Wheels on Fire Community Breakfast will be at the Home and Family Arts Building’s north end.
- 7 a.m., the LITE Recovery 5K registration will begin at the HFA Building’s south end, with the race starting at 8 a.m.At
- 8 a.m., the Freedom Fest parade will start lining up at Boggs Park. At 10 a.m., the Freedom Fest parade will head down West Center Street to Bronson Street to the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds main entrance.
- From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the Historic Village will be open. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., vendors and food trucks will be open on the midway.
- At 12:30 p.m., the Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams reenactors, along with a frontier loyalist presentation, will take place at the log cabin.
- At 1:30 p.m., there will be a veterans’ ceremony on the midway. Loher said there will be guest speakers and performers. A scheduled flyover by the Air Force is scheduled for 1:40 p.m.
- At 6:30 p.m., a concert featuring Darryl Worley with Jason Michael Carroll and Keenie in the grandstand. Tickets are $10 and $20.
- After the concert, Crazy Joes Fireworks will provide a fireworks display.
