Crowds pack Hester Park with eager faces skyward

Tag : Marine Pack

Hester Park, Wilson Park and Fifth Avenue at Fourth Street Northwere the locations of this years event — all with views ofthe 20-minute pyrotechnic display.
Tom Richardson, fireworks commissioner, said in a recent interviewthat he expected 30,000 people to attend Freedom Fest, while 25,000more were expected to view the fireworks display from other placesaround the city.
We work on this year round and it takes a tremendous amount ofeffort to put the budget together, set up, and it takes three orfour days to clean things up, Richardson said.
Its a huge event in St. Cloud and I hope people enjoy thefireworks, he said. Its a way to get out and celebrate one ofAmericas finest traditions.
Setting up early
Kathi Finlayson, 60, and her husband, Lyle, set up camping chairsbeneath the shade of Hester Parks leafy trees long before mostfireworks enthusiasts had arrived.
I love this park, said Finlayson, who lives in Royalton.(Freedom Fest) is so family-oriented, and I think its cool thatwe have a lot of patriotism and can enjoy the holiday for what itsworth.
Trudi Bachman, 40, and Tim Bachman, 37, also arrived early and settheir chairs up closer to the river.
We came early to get good seating, even though were dreadingleaving because of the crowds, Trudi said. But we came to see thefireworks... they have such a great display.
Tim agreed, but he said he also enjoys the break from the dailygrind.
Its a day off from work, he said. You can sit around, relax andget the family together. ... Its nice.
Passing the time
Nearby, kids flexed their creative muscles at a childrens art areaat the Paramount Arts Center.
Amanda Hegreberg, studio worker and event organizer for ParamountArts Center, predicted 200 to 300 hundred kids would participate.
We wanted to do Fourth of July crafts that children of all agescan enjoy, Hegreberg said.
Several paint-splattered children darted in and out of the areawhere easels and tables were set up.
Its important to have activities for the kids to do, she said.Usually kids art is more generalized, but this event allows us tofocus on just doing Fourth of July themed art, like American flagsand painting fireworks.
Patriotism, diversity
Glendoris Stowe of St. Cloud came early to the lush greenery ofWilson Park with her husband, Gerald, and her grandson, Jonah. Theyavoided the late-evening rush for a parking spot.
Gerald used to be a regular at Freedom Fest years ago, he said, andhe wants to continue the tradition.
Its nice to see a gathering of people from different places andgetting to interact with them, Glendoris said. The community usedto be strictly German-Catholic and now theres an intermingling ofpeople. & I like to know that we are welcoming newcomers into ourcommunity.
Jonah said he really liked being around people in the area.
Close to the Stowes, a large fenced-off area was reserved foractive and retired members of the U.S military and their families.
Phillip Landwear, 59, of Waite Park served in the Air Force duringVietnam. He said he believes in the value of community.
Landwear said his veteran status inspires him to get out in thecommunity and that Independence Day is a good opportunity foreveryone to support the people who protect the United States.
Mike Hannah from St. Cloud is a retired Marine who served from1966-69. He said people should realize the importance of apatriotic spirit along with the celebration.
Of course its excellent to see friends and family, Hannah said.But its also a day that is set aside to appreciate those who keepus safe. & if Fourth of July went away we would lose patriotism,momentum and support.