Freedom Fest in #MurrayKY
Once a year, the community of Murray gathers to celebrate our great nation's independence. The Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau collaborate with their sponsors, and members of the community, to bring together successful events for friends and families of all ages to enjoy during the Fourth of July season.
Events begin Friday, June 28 with the Murray Rotary Club Max Hurt Memorial Golf Tournament at the Murray Country Club! Avid golfers of all ages are encouraged to compete in a two-person scramble to help raise money for the Murray Rotary Club scholarship fund available for local high school students. Don't miss your chance to win some of their amazing prizes!
Continuing on Friday, the Murray Art Guild hosts their Summer Art Party in the evening from 6-9 p.m. Join in on the fun with live music, food from The Big Apple, dessert from The Murray Bank Ice Cream Machine, plenty of kids activities, and so much more!
Start your day on Thursday, July 4 with the Boy Scout Troop 45 Gary Taylor Memorial Breakfast at the Murray First United Methodist Church! Fuel up with country ham, eggs, biscuits and gravy, grits, and your favorite breakfast beverage. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. and continues until 10 a.m. Make sure to get there before the FNB Bank Freedom Fest parade!
As a day of celebration, let us not forget those who have fought and continue to fight every day for our freedom. Honor those veterans at Chestnut Park for the Veteran's Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 a.m.
Grab your sneakers, and sign up your friends and family to participate in the Briggs and Stratton Main Street Mile! Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the morning of July 4. Kickoff is at 8:45 a.m. beginning at Sparks Hall continuing down Main Street to the end of the parade route. Don't go too far, the parade will make its way toward downtown shortly after the run, so be sure to grab a seat on the court square!
A brigade of antique cars, marching bands, and floats decorated in red, white and blue must mean one thing...the FNB Bank Freedom Fest parade has commenced! Find a seat along Main Street in time for the excitement starting at 9:30 a.m. The Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau is excited about the entries this year as they show off their patriotic pride. The parade will begin on 10th St. and head downtown toward the court square.
Following the parade, stay downtown and join the Daughters of the American Revolution for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on the court house lawn. As a reminder of why we celebrate, visitors are encouraged to recite along with the volunteers as they read the historic document that marks our independence! Reading begins at 11:00 a.m.
The fun continues at The Murray Bank Family Night in the Park! This year, activities will take place in CHESTNUT PARK featuring free hot air balloon rides, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, vendors, and a water gun fight on the baseball fields! Your friends and family are sure to have a blast with activities for all ages to enjoy in our park. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m.
Take a break from the heat and attend the Town and Gown Community Band & Chorale Performance at Lovett Auditorium! This free concert is a favorite among Freedom Fest goers as the band plays renditions of classic patriotic tunes that celebrate our nation's independence. Concert begins at 8:00 p.m. and ends just in time to see the fireworks.
Capping off the night in proper patriotic form, the Briggs & Stratton and The Murray Bank Fireworks Extravaganza kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Steal a spot along 641 N to get the best view of our spectacular show! Best spots are University Church of Christ parking lot, Lowe's, JCPenney's, or anywhere else along the north end of town.
Make sure to share your day with us by using our hashtag #FreedomFestKY! To stay connected to the activities during Freedom Fest, follow Murray, KY on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. For additional information, visit www.mkyfreedomfest.com.
