Freedom Festival organizers offering tents, fans to keep attendees cool

With a hot forecast, some may be second guessing their Fourth of July plans, but Freedom Festival organizers in Cedar Rapids are doing all they can to get people outside for the holiday.

Last year, more than 105,000 people turned out to watch fireworks in downtown Cedar Rapids on Independence Day. That was the largest turnout in six years.

On Tuesday night, hundreds turned out to watch fireworks in Ellis Park, despite the heat. Officials with the Freedom Festival hope that same mentality carries over to July 4. They're working hard to make the show better than last year's and keep people as cool as possible.

Paul Myers, wh0 works for J&M Displays, said his crew worked for two days in downtown Cedar Rapids to put together thousands of fireworks.

"This show generally takes about two days to load. This is my 11th or 12th year doing it and every year it gets a little bit bigger and a little more convoluted," Myers said.

Myers, along with Freedom Festival leaders, hope the heat won't stop spectators from showing up to enjoy their hard work. Brandon Busbee, with the Freedom Festival, knows the holiday will be hot.

"We are going to be putting up a lot of extra canopy tents just to create more shade, we've got ahold of some misting fans, like you would see on the side of the football games," Busbee said.

"There is going to be plenty of water down here, plenty of shade for everyone to stand in," Myers added. "It's going to be a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun last year and I think this year will be even better."

The heat has played a role with smaller turnouts at other festival events this year. Organizers say they hope the tents and fans will allow people to still enjoy the holiday.

"That's what we are hoping to be able to do, (to) make sure that people are able to come out for different hours of the day for little spurts, enjoy the festivals, do activities, and then go back in and come back out for the grand finale with music and fireworks," Busbee said.

Many people said a little sweat isn't worth missing fireworks on Independence Day.

"It is pretty hot, but I mean, it's tradition, so might as well come out anyways," said Kimberlin Prouty of Cedar Rapids.

"Watching fireworks, hanging out with family and cooking out is all part of the fun," added Shane Moenck of Cedar Rapids.

Festival leaders recommend that people drink lots of water, not just while you are outside but throughout the entire day. They also suggest bringing an umbrella or tent if you have one.