Family, Friends, Freedom: Apple Valley Freedom Days 2012 Kicks Off Friday

Get ready to ooh and ahh at fireworks, cruise classic cars and carnival rides, rock out, run and more.

Apple Valley's 46th-annual Freedom Days festival kicks off Friday, with activities scheduled through the July 4 holiday.

"We do this ... so that families can actually spend some really good time together," Freedom Days committee chairperson Pat Schesso said. "That's so important in this day and age."

About 15 people volunteer as organizers each year, and though some come and go, many have worked together for 15 to 20 years now, Schesso said. She said she and other organizers will attend other towns' festivals around the state to see what else they could bring to the Freedom Days table each year.

For 2012, while most favorite activities will return, new this year is the addition of classic trucks and motorcycles to the classic car show (registration through the beginning of the event).

The free music in the park night also will move, to in the soccer stadium, Schesso said; attendees are invited to bring blankets, chairs and picnic fare to watch and listen to Bob and the Beachcombers that evening.

And as usual, the 100-entry parade on July 4 will not only be fun and entertaining, but—true to the event name—patriotic, showcasing soldiers, veterans and freedom, Schesso said.

A few tips Schesso offered for attendees this year:

• The city has an ordinance that prevents anyone from reserving parade spots until 24 hours before the event (so, 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 for the earlybirds).
• Best viewing of the parade will happen away from the 153rd Street staging area.
• Drink plenty of water, and remember hats and sunscreen.

The committee will continue to take registration for the following events:

• Friday, June 29 : Until start times
• Friday, June 29 : Until June 27
• Saturday, June 30 tennis tournaments: Until June 29 (registration sheet attached)

Schesso also said people should remember that the will have a full day of activities on July 4.

The Freedom Days event schedule is below, provided by the Freedom Days committee. More information about each activity is available on the Freedom Days website:

Friday, June 29

• Car cruise—Leaves at 4:30 p.m. from Legion
• Classic car show—6 to 10 p.m.,
• Vendor fair—6 to 10 p.m., Bogart's Place
• Johnny Holm Band performance—8:30 p.m. to midnight, Bogart's Place

Saturday, June 30

• Junior Tennis Tournament (grades 1 through 12)—9 a.m.,
• J&K Amusements Carnival—11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park
• The Spirit of CUB—11 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
• Mixed Up Doubles Tennis Tournament (for high schoolers and adults)—5 to 7 p.m., Apple Valley Sports Arena

Sunday, July 1

• J&K Amusements Carnival—11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park
• Music in the Park with Bob and the Beachcombers—7 to 8:30 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East

Monday, July 2

• Kids Fishing Derby (ages 5-11)—6 to 8 p.m.,

Tuesday, July 3

• J&K Amusements Carnival—11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park
• Cub Foods Family Fun Night—5 to 9 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East
• Kids Parade—6:30 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East

Wednesday, July 4

• 2- and 5-mile Fun Runs—8 a.m.,
• Half-Pint Half Mile Run—9:30 a.m., Apple Valley Community Center
• J&K Amusements Carnival (Freedom Days Children's Carnival)—10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park
• Freedom Days Parade—1 p.m., Pennock Avenue north to 145th Street west to Hayes Road
• Family Leisure Pre-Fireworks Party—5 to 10 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East
• Fireworks Show—10 p.m., Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East

*Rain date for fireworks is July 5.