Goreville FreedomFest

07/05/2026

Okay, I would like to address some of the comments. About the fireworks being a little late.

Let me try to give you a picture. When the rains started coming a little heavier, the fireworks crew had to cover them up. At times last night, one member of the Fireworks crew was hooking up the fireworks up as others would hold a tarp over him to keep the fireworks dry.

The company that the Village buys the fireworks from is also the company we pay to shoot them off.

The gentleman over the fireworks said that they can shoot them off in a little rain. However, they couldn't finish setting them up until the rain stopped.

He also said that if the fireworks are a little too wet, there is a chance that they won’t go very high out of the tubs.

As a matter of fact, the night before. One of his friends/coworker was killed; he did not say where, what town or what state.

With that, I want people to remember these are not the same fireworks that we can all buy at boomland. These are highly dangerous, commercial-grade fireworks. Where those shooting them off can be injured or killed to bring you a fireworks show, whether here in Goreville or wherever.

Safety is of the utmost importance. And if fireworks are a little late because of safety, that's and no offense is just something that we need to get used to and should understand.

We need to pray for the gentleman that was killed, bring people a fireworks show on July 3rd and again, I do not know where this was at, but pray for his family and the community that it happened in.

Please remember when we complain about the fireworks being a little late. That is a very dangerous job.

Jason

07/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to Goreville FreedomFest today. To those of you who braved the rain for Backline 5 and for the Fireworks. They were a little late, but an outstanding show.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the planning and today.
Amanda Davidson, Pam Perry, Matt Vaughn, Dawn Carson, and all the Freedom Fest Committee. I truly appreciate all of your help.

Sam Mighell, and all the Village Workers, The Goreville Police and Fire Departments. ISP. All the People in the parade.

Michael Wakefield for the sound system, Backline 5, for a great show. Vernon Bell, Connor Johnson, Addy Underwood, Wade Pritchett
If I missed anyone, you know how grateful I am for your help.

We did have a few snafus. Not meaning the weather. But a few things that we need to work on. But that almost every year, little things here and there.

Thank you to all of our sponsors; without them, we could not have Freedom Fest.

Thank you to our Vendors.

To the Goreville First Baptist Church, Lisa and Rick Hudson, for letting us use the properties.

Freedom Fest can be a bit stressful. I think this year it was even more so. Again, there were a lot of little things that made it more stressful this year.

We started Freedom Fest in 2010. When Dusty Lingle and I had this hairbrained idea to expand the Goreville 4th of July.

Each year, we have family from all over Southern Illinois. This year, we had family from California and from the United Kingdom.

It's about a quarter to 1 a.m.; I've been up since before 5am. So thanks again to everyone.

Jason

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07/05/2026

2nd of 2 grand finales

07/05/2026

1st of 2 grand finale

07/05/2026

Fireworks will be about 10
1015

07/05/2026

We have a little rain but are still planning on the fireworks tonight. 9:30

If anything changes, we will make another post.And let everybody know

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

Vendors are setup and ready to serve you! Come grab a burger, bbq sandwich, coffee, kettlecorn, and more!

07/04/2026

As of now, we are still planning on having the show tonight. Looks like the rain
will be out here around 530.

Don't let the rain keep you from listening to a good band and see some great fireworks.