Self-guided tours of Historic Provo

June 16 – July 4, 2011
Downtown Provo

In celebration of Provo’s rich history and tradition, the Provo City Landmarks Commission has joined with the Utah Division of State History, the National Parks Service and the Freedom Festival to produce a self-guided tour and interior tours of buildings listed on the Local and National Historic Registers.

Pick up a complimentary “Historic Provo” guidebook at any of the following locations

•  Utah Valley Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (111 South University Avenue),
• Provo City Library (550 North University Ave.)
• Provo City Utilities Building (251 W. 800 N.)
• Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce (Historic County Courthouse, Suite 215)
• Los Hermanos Restaurant (71 E. Center Street)
• Provo City Center Office of Community Development (330 W. 100 S.)

The guidebook contains a brief history of Provo, the development of its historic architecture, and photographs and descriptions of many historic sites in the city.

Patriotic Service

Sunday, June 26
7:00 pm
BYU Marriott Center
Free

The Patriotic Service, one of the Freedom Festival’s most celebrated traditions, has undergone quite a makeover in the last couple of years. Today, not even Broadway can compete with the combination of inspirational music, theater and patriotism found at this memorable (and free) event—acclaimed last year as one of the most stirring celebrations of America in the nation. For more details, go here

Carillon Concert

Thursday, June 16th
7 p.m.
BYU Cententennial Carillon

The BYU Centennial Carillon Tower has now stood for thirty years as a symbol of freedom and spirit.  The annual Freedom Festival Carillon Concert awakens emotions of patriotism and liberty through performances that appeal to children and adults alike.

BYU University Carillonneur Don Cook will perform patriotic pieces, as well as folk, Broadway, classical, and original compositions for an eager audience. Hundreds will bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to the shady lawns surrounding the tower to enjoy an evening concert.  This is one of the more simple and leisurely events of the Festival.

The tower stands 97 feet tall and contains 52 cast bronze bells.  The smallest bell weights 21 pounds with the largest at 4,730 pounds.  The keyboard consists of broomstick-like manual keys and short pedal keys that are played with the side of the closed hands and with the feet.  Each bell plays until the tone fades away naturally, allowing new tones and fading tones to resonate with one another.  Don Cook studied carillon at the University of Kansas until he returned to BYU in 1991 where he has participated in the concert yearly.

Interior Tours of Historic Provo

Maeser tours ~ 770 E. Center Street

Thursday, June 16 

5:30 pm -7:00 pm

Joaquin tours  ~  261 E. 100 N. 

Friday, June 17

5:30 pm -7:00 pm

Reception:

Friday, June 17th

7:30 pm 

Provo City Library at Academy Square (550 N. University Avenue).  

At the reception a presentation will be made from noted speaker and historian, Emily Utt of the LDS Church History Department. Her presentation will focus on Provo’s Historic Tabernacle and will be followed by light refreshments.

Chairperson(s): Randy Christiansen - randy@jaussi-christiansen.com

Freedom Festival Baby Contest

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Utah Valley University Sorensen Student Center

For more details, go here

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Honor Flag Day by participating in the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony.  

Tuesday, June 14th
7:00 pm
Macey's ~ 1230 N 500 W, Provo
Free

The event respectfully retires flags that have become so tattered worn that they no longer properly represent the great sacrifices and values of the United States. According to the U.S. Flag Code, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning” (4 USC 8K).

The ceremony begins promptly at 7:30 with a patriotic speaker followed by the dignified retirement of worn and tattered flags that have served our country well but are no longer fit for display.

Boy Scout Troop 999 will serve as hosts, welcoming all Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venture Scouts, and Girl Scouts over age 12 in full uniform to participate (please arrive at least 1 hour early). 

Provo City will bring in several bleachers and those attending are also welcome to bring their own chairs. This is a great family event that teaches patriotism and love for the flag.

Retired flags can be brought to the event or drop them off at Macey’s Food & Drug, prior to the ceremony.

Freedom Festival Events

July 2, 3, 5

Freedom Days - Arts, crafts, food entertainment

Friday, July 2 – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, July 3 – 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Monday, July 5 – 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Parade Day)

Downtown Provo (Center Street and University Avenue) on the Utah County Government complex & Tabernacle Park


Freedom Days showcases some of the region’s finest specialty products, fun hands-on activities, local entertainment, and unique foods. There is something for everyone including handcrafted jewelry, books, paintings, quilts, and more.

Balloon Festival

6:30-8 a.m
Bulldog Field, 1100 North Freedom Boulevard, Provo

Celebrating its 26th year! More than 25,000 spectators will have the opportunity to experience approximately 25 of these magical giants close-up as part of the ever popular Balloon Fest.

Milestones of Freedom

July 2: 9am - 8pm
July 3:: 9am - 8pm
July 5: 11am - 7pm

Scera Park in Orem

Colonial Days

10 a.m. to dusk.
Crandall Historical Printing Museum
275 E. Center Street

Enjoy FREE entertainment, family activities, and live encampments with demonstrations of daily colonial life. Experience a walk through the Mayflower right into our Jamestown exhibit. Spend time reading original historical documents, letters and printed pamphlets of the era in B. Ashworth‘s Hall of History. Stop by the Benjamin Franklin Print Shop and help print replicas of the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution (there is a fee of  $5.00 for your own take home copy). Watch a paper maker at work, visit with a calligrapher, water color artist, and enjoy a live chalk artist at work.

Grand Parade

Monday, July 5
9:00 am
960. N University Ave. to 900 E center St. Provo

The Grand Parade – the largest of its kind in the state of Utah – will highlight freedom through bands, professionally crafted floats, giant helium balloons and local and national performers. Entries will be given the unique challenge to promote patriotism among the 250,000 spectators, through music, displays, dance, and other creative and meaningful expression.As the world faces an uncertain future, America stands as a beacon promoting freedom at home and abroad. Let freedom ring loud and clear. Witness the joy that is freedom as never seen before on the streets of Provo!

Stadium of Fire

Saturday, July 3
8 - 10:30 pm
BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium

Carrie Underwood
For Tickets, click here

Post-Stadium of Fire Street Dance
10:30 pm
On Canyon Road, west of the Stadium

Patriotic Service

Sunday, June 27
7:00 pm
BYU Marriott Center

Always a favorite of America’s Freedom Festival, the Patriotic Service has become well known for its inspiring messages and music surrounding freedom and patriotism.

Music for the evening will be provided by the Army 23rd Band.

Steve Young will be the speaker for the evening. Come back soon to hear more exciting announcements about the program.

Children's Parade

Saturday, June 26
9:30 -10 a.m. Staging for the parade
10:30 am parade begins

begins at 800 East Center Street

ends at 200 East Center Street at the state and county complex in Provo.

The Children’s Parade is not only a fun activity for the family; it also is a chance to educate the youth on freedom and respect. Participants will have a chance to meet police officers and fire fighters, giving them a first hand experience with these important and friendly public servants.

The parade lasts almost 45 minutes and participants will receive a treat at the end. No skateboards or motorized vehicles of any kind are permitted. If you arrive after 9 a.m., please use the 100 North 800 East entrance.

Freedom Fun Run

Monday, July 5
7am
Kiwanis Park
820 N 1100 E, Provo


We hope that part of you Independence Day celebration includes our Freedom Run 10K, 5K or the Mayor’s one mile Fun Run. The annual run has become an integral part of America’s Freedom Festival as thousands of participants at all levels and abilities join this invigorating event.

We encourage you to get decked out in patriotic garb for the run. We have seen a lot of great costumes and would love to see more.

Freedom Festival Baby Contest

9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Utah Valley University Sorensen Student Center

For more details, go here.

Carillon Concert

Thursday, June 17th
7 p.m.
BYU Centennial Carillon Tower

The BYU Centennial Carillon Tower has now stood for thirty years as a symbol of freedom and spirit.  The annual Freedom Festival Carillon Concert awakens emotions of patriotism and liberty through performances that appeal to children and adults alike.

BYU University Carillonneur Don Cook will perform patriotic pieces, as well as folk, Broadway, classical, and original compositions for an eager audience   Hundreds will bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to the shady lawns surrounding the tower to enjoy an evening concert.  This is one of the more simple and leisurely events of the Festival.

The tower stands 97 feet tall and contains 52 cast bronze bells.  The smallest bell weights 21 pounds with the largest at 4,730 pounds.  The keyboard consists of broomstick-like manual keys and short pedal keys that are played with the side of the closed hands and with the feet.  Each bell plays until the tone fades away naturally, allowing new tones and fading tones to resonate with one another.  Don Cook studied carillon at the University of Kansas until he returned to BYU in 1991 where he has participated in the concert yearly.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Monday, June 14
7:30 pm
Macey’s Food & Drug Store
The corner of 1230 N. and 500 W

The event respectfully retires flags that have become so tattered worn that they no longer properly represent the great sacrifices and values of the United States. According to the U.S. Flag Code, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning” (4 USC 8K).

Boy Scout Troop 999 will serve as hosts for the ceremony again this year. They welcome all Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venture Scouts, and Girl Scouts over age 12 in full uniform to participate (please arrive at least 1 hour early). The flag retirement ceremony begins with a patriotic speaker followed by the dignified retirement of worn and tattered flags that have served our country well but are no longer fit for display.

Those with flags that need to be retired are invited to bring them to the event, or drop them off at Macey’s Food & Drug, prior to the ceremony on June 14.

Historic Provo Tours

In celebration of Provo’s rich history and tradition, the Provo City Landmarks Commission has joined with the Utah Division of State History, the National Parks Service and the Freedom Festival to produce a self-guided tour and interior tours of buildings listed on the Local and National Historic Registers.

Self-guided tours
June 15 – July 5
Pick up a complimentary “Historic Provo” guidebook

The guidebook contains a brief history of Provo, the development of its historic architecture, and photographs and descriptions of many historic sites in the city.

Interior Tours in the Maeser Neighborhood
Thursday June 24 and Friday June 25
5:30 -6:30  p.m.
LDS City Center Church parking lot
195 South 100 East

For more information, go here.

Firecracker Softball Tournament

In the spirit of our number one pastime, America’s Freedom Festival will present the 2010 Firecracker Softball Tournament. Adult men’s and women’s teams are invited to this USSSA sanctioned event. A sliding self-classifying bracket format will be used to provide quality competition for all team classifications. All teams will be guaranteed three games.

Women’s tournament: June 19, 2010 – Registration Deadline, Monday, June 14 at 6:00 pm
Men’s tournament: June 25-26, 2010 – Registration Deadline, Monday, June 21 at 6:00 pm

Both tournaments will be held at Footprinters Softball Complex, 1150 S. 1350 W., Provo, UT 84601.

Teams can now register online at http://sports.provo.org