Last month when the Madison County Fire Department announced that the 4th of July Firefighters Freedom Festival would be cancelled due to skyrocketing costs, the phones started to ring. Chief Eric Turner says, “Not negative calls, mainly folks disappointed and many thanking us for the years we’ve put it on.”
HItachi Energy Alamo has stepped in as sponsor of the fireworks show, the City of Jackson as stage sponsor, Serra Chevrolet of Jackson and Bartlett has continued as a major sponsor all eleven years of the festival. CashMaster and McKellar Sipes Regional Airport are Platinum Sponsors. Madison County Mayor A.J. Massey attended the announcement and said the Fire Department could expect the county to help as well.
Chief Turner estimates the cost of the event is close to $50,000 and although that is more than has been raised, the funds in place are close enough to be able to continue the 4th of July event that so many inside and outside of the county enjoy.
The event draws an estimated eight to twelve thousand to McKellar-Sipes Airport every year for rides, games, food trucks, and activities for the whole family and is free. Turner says the festival started because of an uptick in fires started by fireworks and injuries as a result. Since the giant fireworks show started there have been fewer fires and injuries reported.
To find out about sponsorship for The Firefighters Freedom Festival or to volunteer contact the Madison County Fire Department at 731-424-5577
