Spencer’s Landing to host Freedom Festival’s second weekend
Stella Dionysiou, a performer with the Cincinnati Circus Company, dances with fiery rings during their performance at the third annual Freedom Festival Saturday at the Grand Central Mall. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
VIENNA — For the first time in its three-year existence, the Vienna Freedom Festival will extend into a second weekend, July 5 and 6 at Spencer’s Landing with the return of the rodeo. Friends of Vienna Treasurer Amanda Mott said the rodeo at last year’s event was standing room only, and had between 2,500 and 3,000 attendees. Friends President Jack Mathers said the rodeo organizers were so pleased about the turnout, they wanted to come back for two days. He also said Friends of Vienna had also received feedback from vendors about not being able to serve on Sunday. That contributed to expanding the festival to two weekends. Mott said prices for the rodeo tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6-18 and 5 and under are free. Gates will open for the rodeo at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Riders from Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) will compete from 7-9 p.m. Riders will also compete in a slack, or preliminary, round at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the City of Vienna, Vienna branch of Community Bank, The Bodega, Jon Six Hair Co, Mel’s Diamond House and Scots Marketplace, or online at https://tinyurl.com/4pwc4jvs. They will also be sold the day of by cash or card. Carnival ride tickets are available in two sessions: 12-4 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Wrist bands are $20 per session, or $3 for single rides. Another returning event is the hot air balloon rides from 6-8 p.m. Saturday. Rides will be $15 per person. Mott said she anticipates that it will be popular. Mott also said debit cards can be used to purchase tickets for the rodeo, carnival rides, or hot air balloon rides, but a 3.5% charge will apply. Mott said she was looking forward to the hot air balloons, but she enjoys the overall atmosphere for the Freedom Festival. “Everyone is happy and coming together as a community,” she said. Both Mathers and Mott expressed their gratitude for the area’s support for the festival. Various fundraising events were held in the past year such as bingo and a murder mystery dinner. “I’m happy for the board members because they work so hard to put this together,” Mathers said. “It’s very fulfilling to see a year’s worth of work come together.” Food trucks and a carnival will be open starting at noon both Friday and Saturday. Kristen Hainkel can be reached at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com