Freedom Fest preparations underway at IVC
Preparations are underway for the biggest firework display in Imperial Valley. Freedom Fest began in 1991 and each year the show gets bigger and better.
News 11 got a behind the scenes look at how they gear up for the biggest show of the year.
“This is where all the shells will be loaded in, into these racks that have guns in them,” Said Gene Brister, President and General Manager at KXO FM 107.5.
The firework show is choreographed and synchronized to music and will run for about 25 minutes.
“Fireworks America out of San Diego, I’ve dealt with them for years, they do an outstanding job. We’re going to shoot over 1800 hundred shells that will give you an idea of the size of the show,” explained Brister.
The Freedom Fest firework display is one of the biggest shows in the Desert Southwest, competing with other major cities.
Over the years it has even caught the attention of big companies like Disney.
“Rudy Schaffner who is one of the founders along with my wife and I, he was a pyro manufacture for many years, highly respected. He developed a reputation that caught the attention of Disney, and some of the stuff he put together, and ultimately they ended up purchasing some of that,” said Brister.
There will be plenty for kids to enjoy this year including a first time flyover by the imperial county aero squadron.
“Jumpers, the IV Desert Museum will have clay here, there’s some art things, I mean more focused on the kids,” added Brister.
With a county-wide volunteer committee of over 300 people the show is expected to draw a crowd of over 50,000 people and the price tag isn’t cheap.
“Signed, sealed and delivered as they say, you’re probably looking at about $75,000 thousand plus. This is our 27th year to do this. We would have never dreamed in 1991 that this thing would grow to its size. It has a life of its own,” said Brister.
The event starts at 6 p.m. The firework display will begin at 9:30. Entry to freedom fest is free, but parking will be on a first come first serve basis.
