Chance Mayle does his best to hang onto a bull during the rodeo at the 4th Annual Freedom Festival in Vienna on Saturday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

VIENNA — A sunny Saturday at Spencer’s Landing drew thousands to the 4th Annual Freedom Festival’s main event day, where the city of Vienna offered a jam-packed lineup of patriotic celebrations and live music to hundreds of attendees.

Organized by the nonprofit Friends of Vienna, the festival’s second day saw families arriving early to catch the car and motorcycle show, children laughing aboard carnival rides, and lines forming at food trucks offering everything from lemonade and funnel cakes to barbecue and gyros.

“We just love it here,” said Belpre resident Kari Stephens, attending with her kids for the third year in a row. “There’s just something special about this that really brings the community together, makes this whole area feel like home.”

Saturday afternoon’s SEBRA-sanctioned rodeo brought high-energy competition to the crowd-packed arena. Riders from across the region competed in bull riding, barrel racing, and roping events. Attendees snapped photos of the dramatic dust-kicking action and cheered from the bleachers.

Meanwhile, a hot air balloon launch in the early evening gave festival goers a breathtaking view of the Ohio River and surrounding hills. Balloon rides were available for $15, with lines forming quickly for the popular experience.

From left, Crystalyne Bennett, Austin Bennett and Javan Province all enjoy the carnival rides at the 4th Annual Freedom Festival at Spencer’s Park in Vienna on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Country trio Chapel Hart kicked off the evening concert with a soulful, high-energy performance at 6:30 p.m., followed by the a cappella group Home Free at 8:30 p.m.

Capping off the night was a drone light show around 10:15 p.m., earlier in the day, there was anticipation surrounding the drone show.

“It’s modern and there’s veterans, like me, who don’t like fireworks so much, so it sounds like a real treat,” said Phil Weston, a veteran originally from Vienna.

Mayor Chad Emrick and Friends of Vienna president Jack Mathers were on hand throughout the day, greeting attendees and thanking volunteers who helped make the festival possible.

The Friends of Vienna said they hope to continue growing the event each year.

Attendees to the 4th Annual Freedom Festival at Spencer’s Landing in Vienna enjoy bubbles provided by the Foam Garage. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.

Eme Martin, a Bethesda, Ohio resident, and her horse Blitz fly the American flag at the 4th Annual Freedom Festival in Vienna on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

The crowd at the 4th Annual Freedom Festival in Vienna enjoys the rodeo Saturday afternoon at Spencer’s Landing. (Photo by Gwen Sour)