Summer heat is picking up in Morehead, and an annual celebration is being upscaled for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. The Morehead Freedom Fest is held every year around July 4, featuring food, music, and the Thunder Over Triplett fireworks show.
This year, organizers said Freedom Fest will be held on Saturday, June 27, and acts as the opening event for a week of Independence Day themed events, all leading up to the Semiquincentennial on July 4. David Clinger, Historian at the Rowan County Veteran’s Museum, said this occasion is once in a lifetime.
“It is literally monumental. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, the only time in history where we can celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. If you look at a lot of countries, if you look at a lot of world history, a lot of countries do not make it to 250 years,” said Clinger.
With historical significance in mind, Tony Pence, Executive Director of Downtown Morehead Incorporated said the celebration allows people to enjoy community.
“Tourism, number one to us is our residents. If we can provide entertainment and things to do in town, they stay home and they all shop at home. That kind of thing. So, that’s the number one focus," said Pence. "What can we provide that does not cost anything to the public?”
The event will run from 5-10 p.m., featuring live music from Midnight Patrol, Blackwater Revival, and the inaugural performance of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra Brass Bandits. Food and merchandise vendors will be set up along Main and First streets.
Pence said the event will end with a more than 20-minute-long Thunder Over Triplett fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. He added that the show is a collaboration between the community and pyrotechnic experts.
“We have incorporated the services of Rozzi and Rozzi from Cincinnati. They do, I think, Thunder Over Louisville, they do the big firework show there in Cincinnati on the river. You know, MSU has fireworks when they score, that is who does those. We are their client and that’s who is coming to do that part of it,” said Pence.
In addition to providing fun for Morehead natives, Pence said Freedom Fest is one of the largest events for tourism to the region. He added the profit gained from increased travel to the region benefits many local businesses.
“All those venders that are selling things, food vendors, they have to pay taxes just like you would for a restaurant. That’s revenue for the city. You have got all the restaurants in the town are full that day. That’s a very busy day all over the county. Of course, the lake is always very full. I would venture to bet that it’s the number one revenue day for everybody for the year,” said Pence.
The Rowan County Veterans Museum is one local organization participating in the event. To celebrate the occasion, historians at the museum are developing a new exhibit. The exhibit honors the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War veterans, and the sacrifices made to develop our nation.
Bill Bolen, President of the Rowan County Veterans Museum, said it is important to imagine Independence Day from that historical perspective.
“People do not realize how much the signers of this document, the Declaration of Independence, risked. At least 29 of them lost terribly, and all of them lost something. You have everything taken away from you that you have had your whole life or have worked for your whole life. But yet, they felt it was so important that they would not, given the chance, take their name off the document,” said Bolen.
Historian David Clinger said the exhibit will be ready and open in time for Freedom Fest next week.
The Morehead Police department will be closing Main and First streets around noon on the 27, and officials advise people to avoid parking on those roads if possible. Tony Pence said the event would not be possible without collaboration between the community and local organizations.
“We thank the people that make it possible. Morehead Rowan County Tourism, they provide the funding for the fireworks, and then Rowan County Fiscal Court picks up what they do not get. The city provides all the in-kind services, the refuse pickup. I thank the maintenance guys for that, a major part of that, cannot do it without them. And then also, we have got to thank UK St. Claire,” said Pence.
The Morehead Freedom Fest, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, from 5-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 27.
