Vienna Celebrates Freedom Festival with New Budget and Expanded Attendance Goals

The Special Council Meeting held on February 20, 2025, in Vienna, West Virginia, focused on the planning and progress of the upcoming Freedom Festival, a key community event celebrating Independence Day. The meeting featured a presentation by the board of directors, including President Jack Mathers, Vice President Rod Smith, Secretary Theresa Smith, and Treasurer, who outlined the festival's vision and financial details.

The board emphasized the festival's significance as the largest celebration in the area, highlighting its commitment to honoring God, country, freedom, and veterans while providing a safe and enjoyable environment for families. The presentation included a review of past festivals, noting that the inaugural event in 2022 had a budget of $141,000, attracted approximately 10,000 attendees, and generated an economic impact of around $600,000. The following year, the budget increased to $230,000, with attendance rising to 17,000 and an economic impact of $900,000.

For 2024, the festival's budget was set at $267,000, with an impressive economic impact of $1.2 million reported. The board shared that the festival featured various activities, including parades, food vendors, car shows, and live music, which contributed to its growing popularity.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Freedom Festival will take place over one weekend at Spencer's Land. The board noted that funding for the event is primarily sourced from donations and fundraising activities organized by the Friends of Vienna, which include bingo nights, murder mystery dinners, rummage sales, and the sale of the "Discovering Vienna" book.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the board's collaborative approach to decision-making, ensuring that all ideas and plans are discussed collectively. The council expressed support for the festival's continued growth and its positive impact on the community.