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Collegedale weighs two-day 250th Freedom Festival plan; city to put fireworks and event management to bid
Summary
Officials discussed a proposal to expand next year’s Freedom Festival into two days — with a symphony performance before sundown and fireworks on July 4 — but commissioners said the city will prioritize a single core, city-run Saturday event and will put fireworks and event-management contracts out to bid next month.
Collegedale commissioners debated whether next year’s 250th Freedom Festival should be a two-day celebration or a single, larger July 4 event, and directed staff to prepare bids for fireworks and event management.
The presiding official described a proposal from Commissioner House to host a Friday night symphony event followed by a larger Saturday celebration and fireworks. “We would have them play…before sundown on Friday night,” the presiding official said, describing a smaller Friday program intended to be less resource-intensive than a full city-run event.
Commissioners raised concerns about scheduling and community sensitivity. Several members argued the city should concentrate its promotion and resources on a single, city-run Saturday show given police and public-works staffing strains; others suggested the Friday performance could be foundation-run or privately organized so it would not duplicate city programming.
Staff announced fireworks and event-planning contracts will be put out to bid in about a month. Commissioners discussed likely costs: the prior three-year fireworks contract was referenced in the discussion as “37” (in the transcript), and staff estimated bids could start around $40,000, potentially rising to $50,000 for a holiday premium. The commission also asked staff to gather headliner price estimates at several price points.
Next steps include issuing bids for fireworks and event management, assembling pricing for headliners, and returning to the commission with cost and logistics recommendations so the commission can decide whether to proceed with a one-day or two-day program.
