SHREVEPORT, La. – Freedom Fest Finale’s Unsung Heroes
As Independence Day approaches, anticipation for the 2024 KTBS 3 Freedom Fest Finale is at an all-time high. The annual celebration, renowned for its family-friendly festivities, is no small feat to organize. It couldn’t be done without a small army of unsung heroes behind the scenes.
The Groundwork Begins
The groundwork for Freedom Fest begins almost immediately after the previous year’s event wraps up. This phase includes securing permits, coordinating with vendors, and setting the event’s schedule. The entire process spans nearly a year with each stage critical to the event’s overall success.
Police, fire, EMS, and sheriffs departments all come together to plan parking and address any safety issues. Fireworks will light up the sky simultaneously on July 4 in six locations across the ArkLaTex beginning at 9:30 p.m. They are across from Sci-Port in downtown Shreveport, The American Rose Center, South Bossier Park, Bossier’s Cypress Lake, Jefferson, Texas, and Longview, Texas.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux pointed out the importance of this event being open to everyone and how giving people a safe space to enjoy something can pull together a community.
Ensuring Safety
In order to do that, the Shreveport Police Department along with SPAR work together in making a detailed parking plan to give the public ample space and opportunity to enjoy the event. Another challenge is strategizing road closures and detours to facilitate smooth traffic flow.
Safety is paramount at Freedom Fest, that’s why SPD will be on hand in full force to help handle security, crowd control, and emergency situations. Additionally, the Shreveport Fire Department will be on standby to make sure any health issues and medical emergencies are addressed promptly.
July 4 is consistently ranks as one of the deadliest days on U.S. roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 40% of all traffic fatalities on Independence Day involve a driver who has been drinking. SPD is aware of this and police want to remind everyone to stay safe while having fun because the risk simply isn’t worth it.
Coordination and Cleanup
Warren Saucier with Bossier Parks and Recreation says the South Bossier Park and Cypress Lake locations will use more than 50 people at each spot coordinating the event. Open Door Fellowship Church will be on hand at South Bossier Park for entertainment and volunteering to pass out water and help with parking.
Once the last firework pops and the crowds clear, the cleanup operation begins. SPAR has a dedicated team that works on picking up all the trash to restore the event site before the night ends. The clean-up process, involving waste collection, recycling, and site restoration, is expected to take about 24 to 36 hours. Efforts are made to leave the venue as pristine as it was before the festivities began.
Depending on the site, volunteers and park officials will stay after the event to clean up the venue. Trash receptacles will be available at all locations. Participants are asked to throw their trash in the bins.
Wrap-Up
For more information and for a schedule of events, go to KTBS.com/FreedomFest. The series is brought to you by the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the Caddo Commission, and the City of Shreveport. Special thanks to Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Brookshire’s Grocery Company, and Hebert’s Town & Country for making the fireworks shows possible.
